Boeing: Dreamliner on Schedule

Firm grappling with supply issues; will still deliver 1st in late '08
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 11, 2007 3:25 PM CST
Boeing: Dreamliner on Schedule
A visitor holds up a U.S. flag as he views the first production model of the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplane after it was unveiled to an audience of several thousand employees, airline executives, and dignitaries during a ceremony in this July 8, 2007 file photo, at Boeing's assembly plant in Everett,...   (Associated Press)

Boeing said today that it remains committed to delivering 109 Dreamliners by the end of 2009 despite persistent supply-chain problems, the Chicago Tribune reports. Although the aviation giant expects to eventually be able to produce one plane in 3 days, the first six—which will be used for test flights—won’t be finished until the second quarter of 2008.

The 787 Dreamliner is the first Boeing plane to use a far-flung network of suppliers who produce large components that snap together. Although more than 75% of suppliers are having trouble meeting Boeing’s standards, the company is optimistic: "Our ramp up is aggressive, but we have not found any fundamental flaws to say it's not doable," said one exec. (More Boeing 787 Dreamliner stories.)

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