The end of the jumbo jet?

THE jumbo jet may be set for the skies no more after Boeing announced plans to halve production of its famous fourengine 747 aircraft.

The world’s biggest plane maker said it would now only make six jumbos a year. It had previously announced the rate would drop from 1.3 per month to one per month.

The aircraft, which dates back to the 1960s, guzzles fuel and has been superseded by more cost-efficient models. Commercial airlines didn’t place a single order for Boeing 747s last year. This reflects a shift toward smaller twin-engined planes that cost less to fly than the four-engine jumbos, which can carry as many as 525 passengers.

While there is still some demand for the cavernous 747s among cargo customers and heads of state – Airforce One used by the US president is a jumbo – demand is low. Some say the link to the president is what has kept production of the jumbo alive.

Ray Conner, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: ‘Global air passenger traffic growth and airplane demand remain strong, but the air cargo market recovery that began in late 2013 has stalled in recent months and slowed demand for the 747-8 Freighter. We’re taking the prudent step to further align production with current market requirements.’

Use of the 747 has dropped over the past 20 years as smaller jets match its range. Over the same period, production of twin-engined jets such as the Boeing 777 has soared.

Last year Boeing booked 283 orders for the 777 and has a backlog of 547 orders. It takes up to two years to build a 747, and customers will be reticent to start the process if it is unclear whether Boeing is committed to the plane.