Boeing to scrap 787-3

BOEING is to scrap production of its 787-3, the short-range version of the new 787 Dreamliner, following two Japanese airlines deciding to buy that model instead.“Both Japan Airlines (JAL) and ANA have converted to the 787-8,” says Randy Tinseth, vice-president of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787-3 that had a shorter wingspan was designed for Japan and now there are no customers. It will be far fetched to say that we will proceed with the 787-3.”Tinseth said Boeing expects no cancellations from JAL following its application for bankruptcy protection in January.“We have 71 planes on order from JAL. They are looking very hard at their fleet requirements and we are assisting them.”Boeing has forecast a total of 460 aircraft in 2010, compared to 481 deliveries in 2009.“We believe we have reached the bottom of the economic cycle, but growth remains slow and uneven,” Tinseth said.

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