Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner flies into India next week
06 Jul 2011
Mumbai: Soon after arriving in Japan to start test flights and other airport servicing procedures with launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA), American aircraft-maker Boeing's state-of-the-art, 787 Dreamliner, will now arrive in Delhi next week on a demonstration flight. State-owned, Air India, is the second delivery customer after ANA.
Constructed of composite materials, the airplane will arrive at Delhi International Airport for two test flights and then transit to Mumbai on 16 July, sources said. Thereafter, the aircraft takes off for home base in Seattle, USA.
There is growing concern within India if the near-bankrupt Air India is in a stable financial position to accept deliveries of 27 of these Dreamliners it had ordered in 2005.
With or without Air India, the aircraft will likely travel to India on a fairly regular basis as ANA is mulling the induction of these aircraft on its Mumbai-Tokyo route.
Boeing India declined to comment on the Boeing 787's test flights in India.
The Dreamliner can fly up to 250 passengers on long-haul flights with maximum fuel efficiency. Boeing claims the 787 will provide 16% efficiencies in fuel consumption.
