Boeing has announced an order for 17 747-8 Intercontinentals from two unidentified customers, worth $5.4 billion at list prices.

The order is made up of 15 of the type from one carrier and two additional aircraft from another.

It increases the firm backlog of the 747-8I to 50, plus an additional five ordered by Air China, which are conditional on government approval.

747-8i eiffel (450)

 © Billypix

Boeing Commercial Airlines chief executive Jim Albaugh had earlier said during a Paris air show briefing he is "hopeful this week that we will have a couple of announcements" for 747-8 Intercontinental and Freighter orders.

The order for 15 is the largest Boeing has received for the 747-8I since the December 2006 launch order for 20 from Lufthansa.

The first 747-8I, a VIP model, is due for delivery to a completion centre by the end of 2011. The first passenger model will be delivered to Lufthansa in early 2012.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news