Boeing last week insisted it was going ahead with production of its planned B747-8 aircraft, despite reports questioning the airframe manufacturers commitment. The next-generation ‘Jumbo’ has been met with luke-warm interest on the passenger side, with slightly better interest coming from the cargo market, but reports suggested a decision on whether production would go ahead remained in the balance, due to a low level of orders for the Intercontinental passenger version. The redesigned and stretched B747-8 freighter is the planned successor for what had become over the last 30 years, the workhorse of the wide-body air cargo market, the B747-400F. But the aircraft faces increasing competition from both Airbus as well as Boeing’s own freighters, particularly the 777F which features nearly the same payload capacity and range. The programme has secured 78 definite freighter orders, but just 28 orders for the Intercontinental.