The wait for Aerospace giant Boeing Company's (BA) 787 Dreamliner is about to come to an end. The company and Japan’s All Nippon Airways have agreed to work together to prove the readiness of the aircraft to ensure its entry into service on a commercial basis.
The companies will use a second flight test aircraft, known as ZA002, and simulate in-service operations across several airports in Japan in a service-ready operational validation. The week of July 4 has been decided upon for the validation, which is expected between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and airports in Osaka (Itami and Kansai), Okayama and Hiroshima.
The 787 Program of Boeing is currently running three years behind schedule and the launch customer All Nippon Airways is eager to introduce this airplane in its service fleet. All Nippon Airways has already placed an order for 55 787 Dreamliners, with a view to strengthen its fleet and augment its growth and expansion plans.
This is the first passenger jetliner manufactured mostly of lightweight and environmentally friendly composite material; a welcome change from traditional materials like aluminum and titanium. Despite its delays, the new airplane was preferred by airline companies at it also promises fuel efficiency, consuming 20% less fuel than the airplanes of its peers.
Currently, Boeing has 835 net orders for the 787. Perhaps because of the postponement, the jetliner's orders are in the negative from 2009 and the company saw 12 cancellations for it since the beginning of 2011. The 787 Dreamliner can be configured in two versions, a 787-8 priced at $185.2 million will carry 210–250 passengers and a 787-9 priced at $218.1 million will fly around 300 people.
Boeing expects its Commercial Airplanes segment to generate revenue in the range of $36–$38 billion in 2011 and deliveries to range from 485–500 airplanes, including first delivery of 787 and 747-8 airplanes.
The 787 program got delayed for a number of reasons, from the hold-up in availability of engines to faulty parts supplied by vendors. Keeping all these delays behind, the company now looks forward to delivering its first airplane to All Nippon Airways in August to September.
The Boeing Company currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold rating). The company competes with the likes of General Dynamics Corp. (GD), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC).
Based in Chicago, The Boeing Company designs and produces commercial airplanes, defense systems, and civil and defense space systems.
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