Story ID: 722 BBJ Max
New Max Bolstering BBJ Sales
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Boeing has taken orders for five BBJ Max jets this year, part of nine on the books.
Word Count: 480
Boeing’s new 737 Max program has captured the bulk of the new business for Boeing Business Jets this year, accounting for five of the seven of the orders taken in year-to-date. The orders included a contract for three Max 8s that Boeing Business Jets president David Longridge said was signed last week at the Dubai Air Show.

“The BBJ Max is doing really well, with nine orders already on the books for both BBJ Max 8s and BBJ Max 9s,” Longridge said. Also newly announced is an order for a Max 8 from a customer in Asia.

The Boeing 737 Max program is slated for first flight next year, with initial deliveries to commercial customers expected in 2017 and to a Boeing Business Jets customer in 2018.

With the lead time for the Max, Longridge noted that the company is seeing some “renewed interest in BBJs” because customers don’t want to wait.

He also added that the company has experienced an active pre-owned market for the BBJ, with five sold this year. All of those went to Asia and helped boost the total of BBJs in China to 22. “We’re very happy with how China is going,” Longridge said, adding the company is seeing considerable interest from the pre-owned market in the region.

While the Max continues to draw interest, so too is the 787 program, Longridge said. His group further received an order for a BBJ 787 this year and currently has eight in completions. Longridge believes the first completed BBJ 787 is on pace to enter service either late this year or early next year. Both Associated Air Center and Greenpoint Technologies are nearing completion of their first 787 VIP projects.

Boeing Business Jets, meanwhile, in April delivered the first BBJ 787-9 to Jet Aviation in Basel, and the 12- to 18-month completion process is expected to get under way in January.

Longridge noted that the systems architecture of the 787, including its integrated electrical system, have made completions “complicated,” but said the learning curve is improving and “we have turned a corner.” A year ago, completion centers were hesitant about taking on a 787, he said. “Now, they are actively looking for them.”

Boeing Business Jets handed over four BBJ 787s for completions this year and is on pace to deliver 11 green aircraft across its product line this year.

As for completed aircraft, seven have entered service so far this year–four BBJs and three BBJ 747-8s. Also, the first “turnkey” BBJ completed by Sabena Technics is slated to enter service shortly.

As a turnkey aircraft, Boeing Business Jets managed the completion process and worked directly with Sabena on behalf of the customer. That aircraft, Longridge said, will be delivered “ahead of schedule, under budget and with a cabin substantially lighter than contracted.”