Boeing names new leader for delayed 747-8 program

Boeing announced internally Tuesday that Mohammad Yahyavi will take charge of its troubled 747 derivative program, the 747-8, in Everett.

Yahyavi had been leading the Poseidon program in Renton, building an anti-submarine military version of the 737.

In November, Boeing announced a costly nine-month delay to the 747-8 program, mainly due to design changes required on the wing. The plane, the largest and latest version of the iconic jumbo jet, is expected now to have its first flight by year end.

The plane has 106 orders, most of those for the freighter version. Boeing still has only one airline customer, Lufthansa, for the passenger version.

Ross Bogue, who headed the 747 program and has been overall site manager in Everett since 2004, is returning to his previous role as head of Boeing's fabrication division, headquartered in Auburn. Bogue replaces Pat McKenna, who has taken a special assignment leading a team to improve the efficiency of the 787 supply chain.