COUNTER WEIGHT.

The article reports that Boeing Co. has launched the 747-8 as its answer to Airbus Industrie SA's challenge to the 747-400. Boeing expected sales for the 747-400 to decline as customers shifted to its big intermediate twin-engine 777 family. The 747-8 launch comes with a list price value of $5 billion on orders for 10 aircraft from Luxembourg-based Cargolux Airlines International SA and eight airplanes from Tokyo-based Nippon Cargo Airlines Co. In contrast with Airbus's predicted market, Boeing foresees sales of only 900 aircraft carrying 450 passengers or more, and expects to capture half those sales with the 747-8.