Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia said he thinks that's doable despite the delays, given that the 1980s-era 767 is such a well-proven machine.

"There's no reason why they can't get through those problems," he said. "They have the domain knowledge of the jet and the technology."

Airbus is still working out its strategy in the segment that the 767 and 787 occupies. The airframer is officially set on delivering the A350-800, but is also entertaining calls for a re-engined A330. The future of the 767 passenger variant is feasible only if Airbus remains locked on the A350-800 option, says Richard Aboulafia, vice-president of analysis at the Teal Group. “If Airbus doesn’t re-engine the A330, then maybe [the passenger 767 has a future],” he says. An A330neo would occupy shorter routes of 5,000nm (9,270km) or less in the passenger class – closer to the 767-300ER. “Then [the passenger 767] ends,” Aboulafia adds.