Boeing to Announce 777 Cargo Freighters

Boeing Co. is expected to announce today that it will officially launch the freighter version of its twin-engine 777 passenger jet.

The announcement would follow last week’s decision by Air France-KLM directors to purchase five of the cargo freighters with options to buy three more.

The orders, which Air France still is negotiating with Boeing, would be worth about $1 billion at list prices, though airlines typically get steep discounts. Boeing began marketing the 777 freighter version last year.

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-- Peter Pae