Project Sunrise is the desire for Australia’s Qantas to be able to fly from Sydney to London and New York non-stop. Today there has been news that Boeing have put development of the Boeing 777-8 on hold, which could mean implications for the project.
Both Airbus and Boeing are pitching aircraft capable of flying the 17,016 kilometre (10,573 mile) journey without a fuel stop. Airbus are said to be offering the Airbus A350-1000, while Boeing are pitching the Boeing 777-8.
Implications for Project Sunrise
According to Flight Global, there are just 53 Boeing 777-8 aircraft on order. These are exclusively for the three large Middle East airlines, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways. With such a small order book, allocating engineering resources to more pressing needs makes sense.
The new Boeing 777-9 was supposed to fly this year, however it is delayed and is now expected to fly in 2020. While deliveries are still slated to commence at the end of 2020, it is widely thought that this will slip into the following year.
Boeing wish to remain in the race for the Qantas order, as it is a particularly prestigious one. Another Flight Global article states that the Seattle manufacturer has provided a “compelling option” to stay in the race. Is this an interim aircraft such as a Boeing 777-200LR? Could it be discounts on other Qantas orders? Something else? It remains to be seen.
Overall Thoughts
Deciding to put the Boeing 777-8 on hold certainly has serious implications for the Project Sunrise order. Previously, I would have said the order could go to either manufacturer. Now, I would say that Airbus probably has the upper hand here.
With an increase in maximum take-off weight for the Airbus A350-1000 due in 2020, Airbus might just be in a position to take the cake.
What do you think of these developments? Have Boeing handed the order to Airbus? Any ideas on the “compelling option”? Thanks for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image via Boeing.
Airbus A350-1000 by Clemens Vasters via Wikimedia Commons.
