Thursday, June 18, 2009

Qatar Airlines CEO Unhappy with 787 Delays

While Boeing works to get it's 787 Dreamliner off the ground, one of it customers, Qatar Airlines, is blasting Boeing for the delay in the plane's delivery and has threatened to pull it's order. Qatar Airlines has ordered or has an option to buy sixty 787 Dreamliners and 24 777s.

Qatar's CEO, Akbar Al Baker, has threatened to cancel them all, but one analyst told me late today he believes Al Baker is just negotiating in public for a better deal and without a doubt using the strongest of language.Al Baker was all smiles at the Paris air show, but in interviews he made it quite clear he is not at all happy with Boeing's delays of the 787.

From Paris al baker told the Dow Jones Newswire; "Boeing doesn't realize how much they are hurting their customers' plans. They're very much mistaken if they think we're going to give them much more time on this issue. Boeing will be left with a load of parked planes."According to Aviation International Al Baker said; "Unfortunately Boeing is not run by commercial people. It is run by bean counters and lawyers. We have some serious issues with them and if they don't play ball with us they will be in for a serious surprise.

"Qatar is one of 60 customers waiting for delivery of the 787 Dreamliner.Boeing Commercial Airlines CEO Scott Carson says; "We've had very few cancellations, probably fewer than 60 in total out of an Order Book of about 3,700 when we started this. "The big question is when will we see the first inaugural Dreamliner flight? Carson says; "We are going to see it, we believe by the end of the month as we've been saying, uh, this will be a terrific event but it is the first step in a long certification process so we're trying to balance the excitement we feel with the reality of the mission still ahead of us."Also Wednesday, on the military side, Boeing announced it may offer up a 777 version of it's aerial refueling tanker when the military re-opens bidding for a 35 billion dollar contract.

This is good news for union members who will build the tanker. They felt they were at a disadvantage last time around.Machinist Union President Tom Wroblewski says; "We didn't get all the information, that maybe the Air Force wanted a bigger plane for a tanker and so I'm glad to hear that Boeing is putting together a plan for both the 767 and the 777.

We think it's good for our members and good for our community."So far this has not been a very successful air show for Boeing. Through Wednesday Boeing had secured just one order for two planes worth about 150-million dollars.Airbus has sold nearly 60-planes worth 6-billion dollars. Boeing chief Scott Carson blames the economy and says he believes the bottom has been hit and there's no place to go in the future, except up.

(KCPQ-TV / Yahoo Biz News)

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