Wednesday, June 24, 2009

ANA Unhappy with Latest 787 Program Delay Announcement

ANA said yesterday that it is "disappointed" with the latest 787 program delay and is seeking a new delivery schedule from Boeing "as quickly as possible."

First delivery to ANA had been slated for the 2010 first quarter and was already contingent on an aggressive flight test schedule proceeding smoothly. Boeing said yesterday it will be "several weeks" before it announces a new target date for first flight. "As we delay the flight test program. . .there will be some impact [on the delivery schedule], but at this point we don't know the magnitude," Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson said.

ANA President and CEO Mineo Yamamoto told ATWOnline in December, when Boeing announced the most recent delay before yesterday, that the multiple delivery postponements had made its "medium-term business plan, whose core component was the 787. . .no longer viable."

Boeing has had 57 cancellations of 787 orders this year and Qatar Airways has indicated it is considering canceling its order for 60. Nevertheless, the Dreamliner order book stands at more than 800 and most customers appear eager to receive the aircraft. Continental Airlines, for example, said yesterday that it is "disappointed" by the latest delay but remains "committed" to the "game changer" plane.

Carson said he began calling airline customers late Monday night to inform them of the new delay. "I think all of them. . .respected our judgment," he said. He added that the manufacturer will keep the 787 production process moving, which could reduce the impact of the delay on later deliveries. VP and GM-787 Program Scott Fancher said, "Our initial assessment is we'll continue to flow the production system, incorporate [the needed modifications] and keep the process flowing."

(ATWOnline News)

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