Saudia Cargo Boeing 777F order
With an order from Saudia Cargo for four aircraft, Boeing has won its first sales of the 777F this year. While more orders could follow, it is evident that the best days of the current-generation full freighter are behind it.
Saudia said on LinkedIn on Monday that it had ordered four 777Fs to mark “a strategic expansion as part of the company’s plan to double its dedicated cargo fleet and enhance its operational capabilities, supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.” Deliveries to Saudia will start this Q4 and continue through 2027. The cargo airline already has four 777Fs, all delivered in 2015.
November
The Saudia order marks the first for the 777F since November 2025, when an undisclosed customer bought two. Boeing’s orders list for 2025 shows three more aircraft for two unidentified customers, plus eight for FedEx and two for Qatar Airways, placed in March. This brought the total orders for the year to 15.
In 2024, there were 35 orders for the 777F, including seven and four, respectively, for undisclosed customers. It is not known if Saudia’s latest order is the one originally placed in July 2024. Significant orders that year came from Emirates for 10 freighters, plus four each from National and Turkish Airlines.
The 777F recorded 10 orders in 2023, of which 4 were for CES Leasing. In 2022, the type won 35 orders, including six for express carrier DHL, and five each for Emirates and Ethiopian. In 2021, Boeing won orders for 42 777Fs, of which five each for Air China Cargo, China Southern, CES Leasing, and Silk Way West. This order stream came on the back of strong demand for air freight during the second year of the pandemic.
2020 saw 13 orders, 2019 for 17 aircraft, 2018 for 45, 2017 for 10, 2016 for just two, 2015 for 16, 2014 for 14, 2013 for 11, 2012 none, but 2011 for 50 freighters. Since 2006, the 777F has won 402 gross orders, making it the best-selling full freighter.
ICAO rules
With new ICAO emission and fuel efficiency regulations becoming effective by the end of 2027, Boeing confirmed late last year that it was seeking an exemption from the FAA. This would allow it to sell the 777F beyond 2027 and bridge the gap until the 777-8F enters service, which, pending certification, is scheduled for 2028. According to our information, the FAA has not ruled on this request, despite Boeing expecting approval no later than May 1 this year.
In its request to the FAA, Boeing said: “With the dramatic growth of e-commerce and challenges in the maritime sector, the global air cargo industry continues to experience a capacity shortage in large widebody freighters, raising direct and indirect costs to consumers. Additional 777Fs are needed after January 1, 2028, to maintain an uninterrupted supply of large freighters to the market prior to the introduction of the 777-8F.”
As reported last week, the latest China Southern order for 8Fs brings total orders for this version to 68.
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