Boeing Dreamliner fuselage glitch could slow production: Experts

Boeing Co shares retreated yesterday, the day after the planemaker said it must correct a fuselage support structure problem on some of its carbon-composite 787s, a glitch which  experts said could slow down production. Boeing shares fell 1.3 per cent to $75.31 on the New York Stock Exchange.

According to the company, the problem was not causing any immediate safety concerns and production rates would not be affected.

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is the first commercial airplane  in the world to be made largely of lightweight carbon composites and boasts greater fuel-efficiency than other airplanes on comparable missions.

Boeing, which is in the process of inspection of the airplanes, described the problem as "incorrect shimming" carried out on a support structure on the aft fuselage. Shims serve to close tiny gaps in joints.

The plane, which entered service last year, is around three years behind its original schedule due to snags in the programme's global supply chain, but still has been a hit among customers. Boeing has bookings for 870 Dreamliners in its order book.

Some experts have expressed doubts over whether Boeing could hit its production rate target for the 787 by the end of next year. The company's current output is 2.5 Dreamliners per month, which it seeks to boost to 3.5 per month in the second quarter and five per month by the end of 2012.