Boeing has approached the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seeking a temporary exemption from upcoming aircraft emissions rules so that it can continue selling its 777F cargo aircraft. The request is aimed at allowing Boeing to deliver up to 35 additional 777F freighters beyond 2028, citing strong demand from cargo operators and delays in certifying its next-generation freighter.

New emissions regulations adopted by the FAA are set to come into force in 2028, in line with international standards to reduce carbon emissions from large aircraft. While Boeing’s next-generation 777-8 Freighter is expected to meet these standards, the aircraft will not be ready before the rules take effect, according to the company.

Boeing has told the FAA that the first 777-8F is expected to be delivered around two years after the first delivery of the 777-9 passenger aircraft, which is currently targeted for 2027. As a result, Boeing says it needs a waiver to bridge the gap between strong customer demand and the delayed entry into service of the newer, compliant freighter.

The aircraft manufacturer said it is seeking regulatory approval for the exemption by May 1.

Highlighting the importance of large freighter aircraft to the US economy, Boeing noted that more than $260 billion worth of goods, out of a total $600 billion in air cargo exports in 2024 were transported using large widebody freighters. The company argued that without an exemption, the US could lose over $15 billion in export value, as each 777F sold to a foreign customer contributes approximately $440 million at catalog value to the country’s trade balance.

Boeing also defended the environmental performance of the aircraft, stating that the 777F is currently the most fuel-efficient large widebody freighter in the global market, and remains the only aircraft in its category still in production.

This is not the first time Boeing has sought relief from emissions regulations. In 2024, the US Congress passed legislation allowing Boeing to continue producing the 767 freighter until 2033, granting it an exemption from the same efficiency rules set to take effect in 2028.

According to the FAA, civil aviation accounts for about 9% of domestic transportation emissions and roughly 2% of total US carbon emissions. Under the Biden administration, the US has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector by 2050 as part of its broader climate action plan.

Boeing’s request once again highlights the tension between environmental goals, industrial realities, and supply chain constraints, as manufacturers and regulators navigate the transition toward cleaner aviation technologies.