Boeing says 787 Dreamliner program is on track

Execs admit that “supply chain wrinkles” still exist

By Tom Stundza -- Purchasing, 12/11/2007 9:13:00 AM

Boeing executives say the production schedule for the 787 Dreamliner remains on track even though the firm’s Seattle-based commercial airplane manufacturing division still is "ironing out significant supply-chain wrinkles."

Speaking during a quarterly update on the 787 program, which was webcast, Scott Carson, head of Boeing Commercial Aircraft, today says the firm still plans to fly its first 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the first quarter of 2008, and deliver the plane to its first customer, All Nippon Airways Co., by the end of next year.

The webcast has been covered heavily by the media because in October, the firm admitted that troubles with suppliers would delay delivery of the first aircraft by six months, to mid-2008. According to the Wall Street Journal, once kinks are worked out the in initial production, the firm still plans to assemble 40 aircraft by the end of next year, and produce 109 total aircraft by the end of 2009. Bloomberg reports that Carson insists parts shortages are declining and there's greater availability of fasteners needed to assemble the aircraft.

The plane maker is working to maintain the schedule for the 787, which has 762 orders valued at more than $120 billion to make it Boeing's most successful new aircraft in sales. However, the International Herald Tribune says that many industry observers ultimately anticipate additional delays, which are common with new airplanes. 

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See also: Boeing executive Steven Schaffer is named supply chain manager of the year for the 787 Dreamliner project


Boeing’s production line in Everett, Wash., is full of 787 Dreamliner jetliners 
under construction. These models will be used first as a flight-test airplane 
and two static and fatigue-testing aircraft. Source: Boeing Commercial Airplanes.