The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a waiver that lets Boeing sell up to 35 additional 777F freighters beyond the 2028 emissions deadline, giving the programme a three-year extension. The narrow exemption applies only to newly built aircraft receiving their first certificates of airworthiness between 1 January 2028 and 1 January 2031, while existing 777Fs in service are unaffected.
The decision keeps the current long-haul freighter available while Boeing waits for the delayed 777-8F successor, helping avoid a production gap in a niche cargo market. Boeing had sought relief because the new emissions rules, adopted in February 2024, would otherwise block first-time airworthiness certificates for the 777F from 1 January 2028. The waiver preserves Boeing’s ability to meet remaining demand for the type and maintain continuity for cargo customers until the next-generation aircraft is ready.