July 22 (Reuters) - Boeing ( BA ) has kicked off

production of its newest freight carrier, the 777-8, the Seattle

Times reported on Tuesday.

The aircraft, which has a revenue payload of 112.3 tonnes,

was first announced in 2022 at the White House.

Boeing ( BA ) had then said that Qatar Airways would be the first

customer, with an order for 34 jets and options for 16 more, and

a total purchase price of $20 billion.

While Boeing ( BA ) originally said they expect to deliver the

first aircraft in 2027, the timeline has been delayed by a year,

the report said.

The 777-8 freighter has the lowest operating costs per

tonne, most fuel efficiency and the lowest carbon dioxide

emissions among the 777X family of aircraft, according to

Boeing's ( BA ) website.

Boeing ( BA ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for

a comment.