Summary
- The newly redrafted FAA Reauthorization Bill would allow Boeing to produce the 767F until January 1, 2033.
- The exceptions in the bill would certain cargo aircraft bypass the FAA’s emissions standards.
- As of March 31, Boeing has 36 unfilled orders for the 767F.
The redrafted Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill, initially introduced by the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in June 2023, includes provisions enabling Boeing to produce the 767F until January 1, 2033.
FAA’s emissions standard exception
The draft bill, published by the Committee on its website, now includes a provision addressing limitations for certain cargo aircraft under Section 1105. The original bill that was introduced in the Senate did not include the section.
Nevertheless, while the section did not identify Boeing or the Boeing 767F specifically, the reauthorization act would result in the FAA’s emissions standards, finalized by the ‘Airplane Fuel Efficiency Certification’ rule in February 2024, not applying to certain cargo aircraft for five years after January 1, 2028. The draft bill can be found here. The Air Current was the first outlet to spot and report the provision.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The bill read that the aircraft, to whom the exception applies, is a purpose-built freighter with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of between 180,000 kilograms (396,832 pounds) and 240,000 kg (529,109 lbs) and was certified by the FAA before January 1, 2023.
According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) type certificate data sheet (TCDS) for the 767, including the 767-300F, the 767F’s MTOW is 187,333 kg (413,000 lbs). Meanwhile, EASA’s TCDS for the Boeing 777F, the only other purpose-built freighter produced by Boeing, read that the type’s MTOW is 348,721 kg (768,800 lbs).
Related
New FAA Efficiency Rules Confirm End For Boeing 767F Production
With the new fuel efficiency rules going into effect on April 16, this would mark 2027 as the final year of the production of the 767F.
Domestic flights only
However, while Boeing could continue producing the aircraft until January 1, 2033, the FAA would be obligated to prohibit aircraft falling within these parameters to fly outside of the US, meaning that they would be restricted to only flying domestic itineraries.
The limitations would only apply to aircraft produced on or after January 1, 2028, when the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) emissions standards come into effect. When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its technical support document (TSD) for aircraft greenhouse gas standards in December 2020, the agency said that the 767F, as well as the Airbus A380, could be impacted by the new emissions standards.
Photo: FedEx
Under the assumption that Boeing would have ended the production of the 767F in 2023, the manufacturer would not need to improve the aircraft’s emissions levels to meet the standards. However, with the assumption that Boeing would want to continue making the aircraft beyond 2028, it would have a window between 2028 and 2030 to improve the freighter’s emissions to be compliant with the new in-production standards.
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The plane-maker is attempting to extend the life of a current successful freighter but also has the task of developing its successor.
Low 767F demand
The EPA’s document said that in response to its notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Boeing, FedEx, General Electric (GE), and the Cargo Airline Association (CAA), stated that there would be low demand for the 767F beyond 2028.
“These commenters did not indicate the number of 767F’s that would be produced after 2028. The EPA did not change the analysis to include continued production of the 767F beyond 2028 because insufficient information to characterize this scenario was provided.”
As of March 31, Boeing has 36 unfilled orders for the 767F, split between 15 orders from FedEx and 21 orders from UPS. Year-to-date (YTD) the manufacturer has delivered a single freighter of the type to the former cargo carrier.
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Eventually, the airline will operate up to 108 of the aircraft type.
