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 12 October 2008 00:16 BST

Boeing to begin 787 production

Thursday, 08 Mar 2007 11:14
The first 787 will be delivered next year

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Leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing has announced that it is preparing to begin production of its new 787 Dreamliner passenger jet in the summer.

The company's chief financial officer James Bell told investors at a Citigroup-sponsored conference in New York that production of the first plane would begin within the next three months, with the first test flight scheduled to take place at the end of August.

Boeing will be keen to ensure that it avoids the type of production delays and problems that have plagued its rival Airbus, which has experienced ongoing technical difficulties and rising costs associated with the manufacture of its A380 superjumbo.

The Boeing 787, which is being launched to rival the A380 in the long-haul passenger jet market, is designed to be more environmentally friendly than other planes by using 20 per cent less fuel per passenger than other similar-sized aircraft.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Bell acknowledged that production risks remained.

"Clearly the next step will be the flight test, and how well that sorts out any of the technical issues surrounding the airplane," he said.

"As we look at it today we feel pretty comfortable that's going to be on track, but obviously we have to wait until we get through it," Boeing's financial chief added.

News that production is to begin on the first 787, which is due for delivery next year, follows Boeing's announcement that UK carrier First Choice Airways have ordered an additional four 787s.

The airline, a subsidiary of First Choice Holidays, has now ordered a total of 12 787s from Boeing, which has taken orders for 464 Dreamliners overall from 37 customers.

"This third order from First Choice is another vote of confidence in the 787's capabilities and unprecedented environmental performance," said Martin Dailey, Boeing's vice president of sales Europe, Russia and Central Asia.
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