First 787 at new production rate rolls off production line

Boeing has rolled out the first 787 built at the increased production rate of 10 aircraft per month. The aircraft, a 787-8 and the 155th Dreamliner built, will be delivered to International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) for operation by Aeromexico.

The new 10-per-month rate is the highest ever for a twin-aisle aircraft. According to Boeing, the 787 program has increased its production rate three times in just over a year, including to five aircraft per month in November 2012 and seven per month in May 2013.

“This rate increase reflects the continued strong demand for the 787,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes VP & GM-787 program Larry Loftis said.
 
Boeing assembles and delivers 787s in two locations: Everett, Wash., and North Charleston, S.C. “The entire 787 team is now focused on capturing efficiencies at this historic level of production, as well as meeting our commitment to increase the production rate to 12 per month in 2016 and to 14 per month by the end of the decade,” Loftis said.

According to Boeing, to date, 115 787s have been delivered to 16 customers. The program has 1,030 total orders from 60 customers worldwide.

This aircraft will be the fourth 787 operated by Aeromexico and will be used on the airline's Mexico City-London Heathrow route.

(Linda Blachly - ATWOnline News)