This Tuesday, one of the three test aircraft for the Boeing 777-9 model took off for the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean to continue its certification flights, according to AirDataNews.
Certification Flight Details
The prototype, registered as N779XX, departed from Boeing Field Airport in Seattle at 07:40 (local time) and landed at Hato/Willemstad International Airport at 19:08 (local time). Although Boeing has not provided specific details about the test, it is understood to be part of its FAA certification program.
These types of flights are essential to evaluate the model’s performance under different weather conditions and altitudes. Curaçao, with its warm and humid climate and its single 3,410-meter runway at sea level, offers an ideal environment for these tests.
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Boeing 777X Certification Challenges
The certification tests for the Boeing 777X had been suspended for five months following the discovery of cracks in the engine supports.
Boeing made the necessary modifications, and since January, three of the four test aircraft have been operating on flights between Seattle, Everett, and Moses Lake in the state of Washington.
Prior to the suspension of flights in August, the model had undergone tests in Hawaii and Mexico City.
Delivery Timelines and Customer Expectations
Boeing has reaffirmed its goal of delivering the first 777-9 to its launch customer, Lufthansa, in 2026. However, Emirates, another key customer with at least 170 orders for the 777X model, has expressed doubts about this timeline, expecting delivery in the second quarter of 2027.
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