FAA Exemption Lets Boeing Build 35 More 777 Freighters Past 2028 Emissions Deadline

The Federal Aviation Administration granted Boeing (NYSE: BA) an exemption to produce 35 additional 777 freighter aircraft beyond the January 1, 2028 international deadline requiring cleaner engines, extending the sales window to January 1, 2031. Boeing warned it would lose more than $15 billion in export sales without the waiver. The decision eases a widebody capacity crunch in air cargo, where freighter retirements, strong AI data center demand and ocean shipping disruptions from the Iran war have tightened supply. Airbus and Boeing delivered a combined 179 large passenger aircraft last year versus 345 in 2019, pushing freighters to handle roughly 60% of total cargo volume. Air cargo volume rose more than 4.7% year over year through August, lifting spot rates more than 25%, according to market researchers. Boeing has booked over 80 orders for its next-generation 777-8 freighter, with first deliveries not expected until late 2028 or 2029.