Boeing will have to make expensive and time-consuming modifications to approximately 30 airframes of the upcoming Boeing 777-9 that have already been built.
The reworks will update older aircraft to bring them in line with the latest production standard ahead of the widebody's expected certification in late 2026.
This modification process can take years, depending on when the airframe was originally built and the extent of the changes required.
As such, Boeing is planning to make structural modifications to around 30 777-9 aircraft that have already been manufactured and assembled.
The company has confirmed that a dedicated team has been formed to make these modifications, with more extensive changes needed for the older airframes.
Considering that the 777-9 was originally due to enter service in 2020, Boeing has built multiple airframes over the years, all of which have been in storage at Paine Field.
The change incorporation program will see these 30 airframes receive various modifications to bring them in line with the latest standard.
Boeing's CEO Kelly Ortberg stated that the modification process can take several years and may require more extensive changes to the older airframes.
This adds further costs to the 777X program, which has currently accrued $15 billion in charges.
The costly rework on stored Boeing 777-9 airframes highlights the challenges of adapting to changing design and structural standards in the aviation industry.
