Boeing says Dreamliner on track for 2010 delivery
10 May 2010
Hamburg: Boeing Co has said it is on track to deliver its first 787 Dreamliner to launch customer All Nippon Airways by the end of this year. The aircraft will compete with Airbus's futuristic A350 jet, the head of the commercial airplanes division said late on Saturday.
"Testing is going well. If there are no unexpected discoveries, we'll be on track," said James Albaugh, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes on the sidelines of an event.
Production of the futuristic carbon-composite airplane has been delayed a number of times over three years for a number of reasons including shortage of parts, faulty design and a two-month strike by workers.
Boeing has a record 850 plus orders for the plane.
Commenting on the planned merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines, which will create the world's biggest airline, Albaugh refused to comment on a query if the two airlines could cancel some outstanding aircraft orders because of the merger.
Between the two of them Continental and United have 35 single-aisle 737s and 50 Dreamliners on order.