FAA clears Boeing to extend 777F production through 2030

The FAA has granted Boeing an exemption to build, certify and deliver up to thirty-five more 777Fs after 2027, when fuel-efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the FAA would have prevented the type from being built. Boeing may obtain airworthiness certificates for up to thirty-five new 777Fs from Jan. 1, 2028, until Jan. 1, 2031, the FAA said in its exemption issued on Sept. 15. [caption id="attachment_57299077" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] The 777 final assembly line in Everett. (Courtesy/Boeing)[/caption] Continuing supply The manufacturer must provide the FAA with the serial number of each 777 freighter produced under the exemption so it can be included in the 777F Type Certificate Data Sheet, the FAA said. Boeing welcomes the FAA’s decision, which will support cargo carriers as they serve growing demand for air freight with 777Fs, a Boeing spokesperson told Cargo Facts . With the exemption, Boeing can meet some of the anticipated customer demand for newer, more fuel-efficient airplanes until the new 777-8F enters service, the spokesperson added. Boeing 777F Chief Program Engineer Ben Linder petitioned for the exemption in December 2025. The exemption was necessary because the current-generation 777F does not meet the emissions standards implemented by the FAA’s Airplane Fuel Efficiency Certification rule, which went into effect April 16, 2024, and the initial request said the manufacturer wanted to “maintain an uninterrupted supply of large freighters to the market” until the delayed 777-8F begins delivering in 2029. Without the exemption, production would have ended after Dec. 31, 2027. Reasons for approval The FAA said it approved the exemption based on factors including public and economic benefit, minimal environmental impact and potential international acceptance. It agreed with Boeing’s economic analysis describing the importance of maintaining a multimillion-dollar freighter industry, and continuing production of the 777F program Lessor Altavair would be interested in buying more 777Fs, but believes airlines would be given preference for available capacity that Boeing produces, Chief Executive Steve Rimmer told Cargo Facts . “So many factors are at play,” he said. “What will be interesting to see is whether the full allotment of thirty-five gets built, and over what period. Another question is the supply of new GE90s, and at what price, given GE has been scaling down the program, and it might be difficult and costly to scale it back up." — Steve Rimmer, CEO at Altavair Engine maker GE Aerospace could not be reached for comment. International requirements The exemption does not extend to regulations imposed by other countries, and operators will be responsible for obtaining approval for the exempted 777Fs from foreign aviation authorities, the FAA said. However, it said the exemption request may be acceptable internationally. In response to Boeing’s December 2025 request, EASA said an environmental impact assessment would be needed and suggested that each exempted 777F should be identified in an official public register, according to the exemption. GE Aerospace, the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Manufacturers were among the companies that commented on the petition in support of the request, the FAA said. 777F timeline Boeing delivered the first 777F (32966) in 2009 to Air France. Since then, it has delivered 330 777Fs , with thirty-eight left in its backlog as of Aug. 31: Eight for FedEx; Four for Saudia; Three for Emirates; Two each for China Airlines, China Southern Cargo and Silk Way West; Six for Volga-Dnepr UK; and Eleven for unidentified customers. A spokeperson for the FAA told Cargo Facts that it does not speculate on potential requests from manufacturers, adding that any other exemption requests would be in the Federal Register. It declined further comment. Cargo Facts Symposium 2026, the premier event for the freighter aircraft and air cargo industries, will take place in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 21-23. Find out more and register today .

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