Aircraft
UPS Orders 14 Boeing 747-8s
Contract boosts prospects for extended production run of the iconic jet
UPS will begin adding a new batch of 14 Boeing 747-8s in 2017. (Photo: UPS)
UPS will begin adding a new batch of 14 Boeing 747-8s in 2017. (Photo: UPS)

Boeing’s slow-selling 747-8 received a huge boost Thursday with a firm order for 14 freighter versions of the big quadjets from UPS. The contract, which includes options for 14 more 747-8Fs, raises the program’s order backlog from 15 to 29 and potentially extends the type’s production run for more than another two years at the current rate. Boeing now builds six 747-8s per year.