10 April 2008

Boeing confirms Dreamliner delays

EVERETT, Wash. - Boeing has confirmed delays to the first flight and initial deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner.

Boeing said the first flight is being rescheduled due to Ã¢â¬Åâœslower than expected completion of work that traveled from supplier facilities into Boeing's final assembly line, unanticipated rework, and the addition of margin into the testing schedule.Ã¢â¬~

It said the new delivery schedule is based on a more conservative production plan developed with the 787 partner team. That schedule now targets approximately 25 deliveries in 2009.

First flight of the all-new airplane will move into the fourth quarter of this year rather than the end of the second quarter, and first delivery is now planned for the third quarter of 2009 instead of first quarter.

The Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) said for the airlines that have ordered the B787 Ã¢â¬' and Asian carriers are the biggest customers, by region Ã¢â¬' a further delay could mean 18 months of varying degrees of frustration, particularly if fuel prices remain at record high levels.

CAPA said ANA and Qantas/Jetstar were worst affected, with moderate impacts for Chinese carriers, Air India and Singapore Airlines.

The net impact on the wider airline industry could be positive, with less capacity entering as global demand for air travel softens, CAPA said.

Boeing Commercial president and CEO Scott Carson explained, "Over the past few months, we have taken strong actions to confront and overcome start-up issues on the programme, and we have made solid progress.

"We deeply regret the disruption and disappointment these changes will cause for our customers, and we will work closely with each of them to minimise the impact."