SIA still expects to receive first 777-9 in 2025: CEO

Singapore Airlines expects its first Boeing 777-9 “to still be delivered” in late-2025, even as other operators flag slipping delivery timelines. Airline chief Goh Choon Phong says the airline also “has some flexibility” in its existing fleet – in the form of 777-300ERs – to buffer against any further delivery delays. Goh, speaking at a results briefing on 16 May, says: “Based on our understanding, we are expecting the 777-9s to still be delivered next year (2025).” While Goh declines to comment further, he notes that SIA, which has orders for 31 777-9s, has a “very constructive relationship” with airframers like Boeing. “We work with them as a partner to look at how we can make products better, and how we can ensure that have a productive relationship. [That] is why you find that…when there are disruptions because of [issues like] supply chain, we are actually less affected,” he adds. Goh’s comments come amid warnings that 777-9s deliveries could face further delays. As recently as late-April, German operator Lufthansa said they now forecast their first 777-9 to be delivered in 2026, a year later than previously expected. This follows similar sentiments from major 777X customer Emirates. In March president Tim Clark expressed doubt about Boeing’s ability to meet its delivery commitments on time. The Middle Eastern giant, which has over 200 examples on order, forecasts its first 777-9 to be delivered in “early 2026”, instead of late-2025. <br/>