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With the aviation industry constantly evolving and expanding, there’s one question that pops up time and time again. Will Boeing launch a freight version of their popular B787 aircraft?

Entering service in late 2011, there are now over 700 of the aircraft in the skies. This total is made up of three variants, the B787-8, B787-9, and B787-10. This is in contrast to the A380 launched in 2007, which has currently delivered 226 aircraft. With such a successful aircraft, why wouldn’t Boeing make a freight version.

Cost

Boeing already has a very successful business model with the B787. With total orders of over 1300, the aircraft is making the manufacturer a lot of money. Creating a freight version of the aircraft would cost a lot of money. The manufacturer almost has to go back to the drawing board, and has to complete a whole new wave of certification tests.

Boeing already has a range of successful freight aircraft. To name a few they manufacture freight versions of the B737, the B747, the B767, and B777. Boeing produces a freight aircraft for almost any use. The B767 and B777 freight versions are very successful. As a matter of fact, they are the aircraft of choice for huge companies such as Amazon. A B787F aircraft would fall right in between these two aircraft, and potentially be a direct competitor to the B777. It wouldn’t be worthwhile to launch competition against themselves.

A350 Flop

The A350 entered service in 2014. While the passenger version of the aircraft has sold quite well, with 188 now flying, the freight version hasn’t sold quite as successfully. This is important seeing that the B787 and A350 are seen as direct competitors. Whilst this could be a good indicator for the potential B787F market, it also shows that this particular market is already fairly well served.

Although the cargo industry is growing at a rapid rate, it is also a market that is heavily saturated. Boeing is trying to keep its aircraft flying for as long as possible, meaning that older B738 aircraft being replaced by the B737-MAX are being converted to cargo aircraft instead of ending up at an aircraft graveyard.

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New Boeing Aircraft

Boeing are currently focusing on their NMA aircraft. NMA meaning New Midsize Airplane. it’s entirely possible that Boeing could make a freight version of this aircraft before a B78F. This new B797 aircraft would be based on many of the technologies implemented in the B787. This would include the composite fuselage and serrated edge on the rear of the engines.

While Boeing previously expressed an interest in releasing a freight version of a Boeing 787 “sometime between 2018 and 2023”, in contrast it now seems unlikely. No further news has been released from Boeing since that statement. It seems unlikely Boeing are currently looking to launch a freight version of the B787. however in years to come when other freight aircraft reach the end of their life, the market may open up for such an aircraft.