Boeing postpones launch of 787 Dreamliner

WASHINGTON: Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has rescheduled the launch of its much-awaited 787 Dreamliner programme, and the first delivery of the aircraft will take place only in the first quarter of 2010.

The main reason being the workers' strike, the delay is also caused by the need to replace certain fasteners in some airplanes, Boeing said in a statement.

"Our industry team has made progress with structural testing, systems hardware qualification and production, but we must adjust our schedule for these two unexpected disruptions," Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson said.

This is not the first time that the aircraft manufacturer has delayed this project. Earlier, it had rescheduled the first trial flight to November from early September this year.

Prior to the strike, which pushed much of the company's commercial airplane work from early September to November, the 787 was to make its first flight late in the fourth quarter of 2008, the company said.

The first delivery of 787 Dreamliner was slated for the third quarter of 2009.

However, Boeing is confident of dealing with the delay.

"We will overcome this set of circumstances as we have others in the past and we understand clearly what needs to be done
moving forward," 787 programme Vice-President Pat Shanahan said.

Shares of Boeing dipped 3.38 per cent and settled at 40.27 dollar on Thursday at the New York Stock Exchange.