Boeing Speaks On 787 Progress

Boeing has spoken to me about the progress thus far on the 787 Dreamliner. In the wake of the airplane’s second major program delay announced last month, Boeing is progressing well to providing guidance on the interim targets set for production and delivery when it reveals in early April 2008 the revised schedule.

At the Singapore Air Show this week, major Boeing customer ILFC had alluded to various areas of concern pertaining to the 787 program and in particular of the high density, shorter ranged 787-3 model destined to enter service with launch customer All Nippon Airways in the summer of 2010.

Image courtesy of Boeing

Boeing tells me the following:

“It’s always great to hear from our customers and we share the excitement about the 787 and are looking forward to what the future may hold. We’ve been open about our challenges on the 787 program. And we’re working hard so we can deliver airplanes that meet our customers’ needs.

We’ve stated clearly to our customers and public, that the priorities on the 787 program are the completion of the first airplane, flight test, certification and deliveries of airplanes that meet the needs of our customers. “

On speaking further, Boeing quashed any rumours of any variant of the current 787 family being terminated.

“Boeing has customers for, and is committed to, the 787-8, the 787-3 and the 787-9. All other 787 derivatives, including the 787-10 and any potential other models, are not yet defined nor committed. Of course we always monitor the market for emerging requirements that may influence our future product development activity.”

Boeing spokeswoman Lori Gunter, quoted in a Bloomberg story, did however confirm that in an effort to push ahead with the first 787, staff resources allocated to the 787-3 were being redeployed. “Some of the resources from the 787-3 have been temporarily redeployed for the time being…That’s in an effort to support the program’s nearer-term priorities,” she’s quoted as saying in the story.

Boeing tells me that derivatives’ development and production schedules will be included in the 787 Program assessment that is expected around the end of the first quarter.

Equally, there were rumours late last fall that Boeing faced a crises with not having enough pilots to test fly the 787, 777F and 747-8F. These proved to be unfounded despite the 787 being delayed.

Work on both large freighters continues in full swing and we look forward to Boeing sharing its new guidance on the 787 program.

9 comments February 21st, 2008