If it was not yet apparent that the era of “big” flight is ending, it could be soon. Bloomberg Sources say Boeing is finishing production of its iconic Jumbo 747 (specifically, the 747-8) in about two years. A spokesman for the aircraft maker did not confirm or deny the shutdown, saying there were “more than two years” of production left to fulfill orders. However, Bloomberg it signaled signs of a firm stop in “subtle wording changes” for the financial statements.
While there is no claimed explanation for the move, it is no secret that Boeing faced both a hostile market and its own problems. Even before the pandemic, the air transport industry had shifted to smaller, more fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft like the 787 Dreamliner. The remaining 15 unfulfilled 747 orders are destined for freighter use, with 12 of them addressed to UPS. The 747-8 was also delayed and exceeded the budget, and is believed to have lost money since 2016. The last passenger order was for Air Force One in 2017.
