Boeing faces up to one of its biggest critics
WASHINGTON,DC – Qantas boss Alan Joyce may need to make more noise in the US if he wants to jump the queue with delivery of Boeing’s much-anticipated, oft-delayed 787 Dreamliner.
Qantas, the biggest customer for the Dreamliner, has reduced its order by 15 planes to 50, and has had to reschedule expansion of its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar on proposed routes to Europe.
Qantas was supposed to receive its first 787 last August but will not get one now to 2013.
Another major customer for the 787, Qatar Airways, has been hammering Boeing at every opportunity – and the tactic may have paid off.
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker last week accused the US aircraft manufacturer of losing its leadership.
"The mess with this (787) programme could have been corrected a long time ago. If they had correctly focused management, they could have seen this coming."
Asked during a media conference if he’d take the job as CEO at Boeing if it were offered to him, Al Baker said: "I would take it and a lot of heads would roll. Just like in my airline. People must deliver."
Baker has warned several times recently that Qatar may cancel its 30-aircraft 787 order if Boeing does not quickly resolve delay issues.
Boeing, at the weekend, invited him for talks…and the outcome is likely to see Qatar shunted towards the front of the delivery queue when the 787 finally rolls into commercial production.
.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive