Guy Norris/SEATTLE

Boeing begins work in Wichita, Kansas, this week on the first 737-900, which it is developing to attack the Airbus A321-200 market.

A total of 45 -900s are on firm order, including 10 for Alaska, 15 for Continental Airlines, four for KLM and 16 for Korean Air. The first fuselage is expected to arrive at Renton in May, and the maiden flight is due at the end of August. A six-month flight test programme is planned, with certification due in March 2001 and initial delivery to launch customer Alaska Airlines the following month.

Test work on the 177-seater will concentrate mainly on the effects on performance and handling of the 2.6m (8.5ft) fuselage stretch. The longer aircraft is also expected to have slightly increased drag and, coupled with the 1,380kg (3,040lb) greater operating empty weight, will have about 370km (200nm) less range than the -800. "But we will still be well within transcontinental range," says 737-600/700/ 800/900 chief project engineer Michael Garrett.

Garrett says the use of the CATIA digital design system means "the programme is beating its cost/schedule target" and could also mean hardware will be delivered to Renton earlier than planned. Boeing says the success of the design system was demonstrated with the early delivery of the first -700C convertible freighter fuselage, and the accurate assembly of the cargo door, which involved four major Boeing sites in the USA.

The first 737-700C is to make its first flight in early April and achieve complete certification in early June. Following civil certification, the 737 will return to Wichita for conversion to C-40A configuration in September. The US Navy will take delivery of the aircraft in April 2001.

• Boeing hopes to boost the slow-moving 757-300 orderbook with a three-week, three-continent demonstration tour covering 31 airlines, 17 cities and nine countries.

The tour, starting on 4 February, will begin with demonstrations in the USA and Canada. The aircraft will then travel to Europe and on to China and Taiwan via Turkey.

Boeing predicts that the -300 orderbook will double to more than 30 by the end of the year.

Source: Flight International