767

Boeing is planning to increase production of its wide-body 767 aircraft to 2.5 aircraft a month in 2017.

The proposed plans come after American courier delivery major FedEx signed a $10bn deal to purchase 50 additional 767-300F airliners in July.

Boeing currently produces 767 at a monthly production rate of 1.5, which will be increased to two in early 2016.

Since 1981, the company has built passenger and freighter versions of the jet at its Everett assembly line in the US.

Boeing vice-president and general manager Brad Zaback said: "We are confident the market will support a long-term future for the 767."

A source was quoted by The Seattle Times as saying that the company would create around 150 jobs in the coming years for the 767 development programme.

"We are confident the market will support a long-term future for the 767."

Developed in the 1980s, the 767 is a twin-aisle aircraft is designed to accommodate up to 290 passengers. It can operate long-range flights and can be used as a freighter.

A Boeing spokesman was quoted by The Wall Street Journal as saying: "Increasing the production rate in 2017 provides the flexibility needed to address additional commercial orders while meeting all of our customer requirements."

The company also intends to boost production rates of its 787 and 737 aircraft.

In addition, Boeing is preparing to commence production of a modified version of 767, which will serve as a refuelling tanker for the US Air Force.

Image: The 767 Freighter is a derivative of the popular 767-300ER. Photo: courtesy of Boeing..