Boeing delays deliveries of 787 Dreamliner
By Tom Stundza -- Purchasing, 10/10/2007 12:39:00 PM
Boeing today announced a six-month delay in its planned initial deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner, to November or December of next year, due to continued challenges completing assembly of the airplanes.
The Dreamliner, with more than 700 orders from 48 airlines, has been the hottest-selling wide-body jet in the world since Boeing began taking orders for it in 2004. The airplane is being advertised as more fuel efficient, more comfortable and easier to maintain than any commercial airplane in its class.
However, the Chicago-based aerospace giant recently acknowledged that test flights were running behind schedule due to problems with deliveries of titanium and aluminum fasteners, but still believes the first airplane would be delivered in May 2008. Boeing CEO Jim McNerney has blamed aerospace fastener industry consolidation on the shortage of bolts, a supply problem that obviously hasn’t been solved.
Boeing's problems were exacerbated because suppliers also have to master new manufacturing techniques associated with building the fuselage from carbon-fiber composites rather than aluminum sheet. So, suppliers working on major assemblies for subsequent airplanes have had trouble getting some of the parts they need.
Today, the Dow Jones News Service is reporting that while production troubles are limited to the first few airplanes, it is critical for Boeing to get the program on track as soon as possible. Boeing originally promised to deliver 112 airplanes by the end of 2009. But, the schedule is so tight that Boeing needs to have 42 airplanes mostly ready for delivery by the time the test-flight program is completed. If that doesn't happen, delays could cascade through the production schedule for as long as two years, potentially undermining Boeing's credibility with its customers and exposing it to costly penalty payments for missed deliveries.
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