Dreamliner now two years behind schedule

BOEING is delaying its already late 787 Dreamliner jet programme by another six months. First delivery is now due in the first quarter of 2010 almost two years after originally planned.

This is the fourth delay to the aircraft’s delivery, each delay executives have claimed is the absolute last. The company blames the recent machinist’s strike that ended in November as being the prime cause. However, insiders say that the complex design incorporating global outsourcing of parts is the true reason for the delays. So much has been outsourced that a Boeing is calling itself a “systems integrator” instead of a manufacturer for the programme.

Delays to the Dreamliner are soaking up resources allocated to other projects. The latest casualty is the updated 747 that will now be delivered, under the latest estimates, nine months late.


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