News
Report: Boeing 787 be delayed up to 18 months from originally planned launch date

April 9, 2008, New York – Boeing is announcing that its massive 787
aircraft will be delayed at least 14 months, and possibly 18 months,
after it was originally scheduled to be launched, according to media
reports.

The Times of London reported on its website late Wednesday,
quoting those familiar with the matter who asked not to be
identified, that delays for 787 could reach 18 months, while the
Seattle Post-Intelligencer put the delay at 14 months from the
original goal.

Boeing has said its goal is to send the 787 on its first flight
by the end of June, and deliver the first plane to All Nippon
Airways in early 2009.

However, after announcing a third major delay in the 787 program
in January, Chicago-based Boeing said it would review the schedule
once again.

Lori Gunter, a spokeswoman for the 787 program, said she could
not comment before a previously scheduled conference call later
Wednesday.

Delays for Chicago-based Boeing could come close to those
experienced by European rival Airbus, which saw delays of 18 months
for its A380.

Analysts, as well as major buyers of the aircraft, have said in
recent weeks that they expect delays of six to nine months.

Boeing said in October that the aircraft would be delayed 6
months, then in January, announced another three-month delay.

The aircraft initially was expected to fly around September 2007.

The 787 will be the first large commercial airplane made mostly
of carbon-fibre composites, which are lighter and more durable than
the metals used in most planes today. Boeing has said it will save
fuel and be cheaper to maintain than comparable planes flying today.

Boeing shares fell 2.4 per cent, or $1.82, to $73.20 in premarket
trading.