Boeing 777 freighter

Boeing started to produce the wing for their first 777 freighter.
Air France is going to be the first customer for this mighty plane.
We also hope that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is going to order some of these great planes it will help them in keeping their long standing tradition of cargo haulers.Seems that KLM is going to loose their 747 combis in the next years affecting their cargo hauling capabilities.Hopefully they have a back-up plan.
Lufthansa cargo is really gaining cargo % around the world including their new joint operation with DHL as well as their Lufthansa Technik maintenance company is really doing very well opening up new maintenance centers all over the globe.
On the Usa front, talks over consolidation are still going strong.
Delta and Northwest merger talks still in progress,we might have an answer by Valentine's Day.If this merger gets the green light from Congress (seems some members are already against it without even looking at the numbers) coupled with the partnership of Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines it will create a very strong global airline.
Talks among United and Continental are still going on strong.
We feel pretty good also on the appointment of the CEO of Swiss Airlines on the board of JetBlue,he will look after the 19% share that Lufthansa bought in JetBlue last year.Also worth to mention the partnership of JetBlue and Air Lingus this will give both airline benefits. What we really feel for JetBlue maybe it's time also to spread the wings over the pond. After the demise of Maxjet there might be still space for another player in this field.Look at British Airways that is going to launch service from JFK or Newark to London City Airport with a small A 318 fitted with just 30/36 seats all for business class customers.
Jetblue might do the same for leisure customers not business ones either flying into Dublin and then have Air Lingus take over or fly into Germany and have Lufthansa take over.JetBlue might do it with A 330's.
Hawaiian Airlines decided to move more towards Airbus after a long relation with Boeing,they just ordered some A330 and A 350's.
Jal is trying to improve their numbers but they have still a lot to work on their plate.They are going to shed as many as 747 possible in exchange for 777's lowering their fuel costs.
regards,
Hans P. Plesman