Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief Scott Carson confirmed that the Boeing 787 is still on-track to deliver the first 787 sometime within the first quarter of 2010. “At Boeing, the fundamentals of our production programs are sound to excellent, and we’re working through the challenges of the development difficulties,” said Carson in New York. Boeing has had troubles with keeping on-target for both the 787 and the 747-800.
Mr. Carson still believes BCA is in a solid position. The subdivision has $279 billion dollars worth of backlogged orders for aircraft. Presenting to financial investors and analysts, Mr. Carson said that there is much growth potential, but there are a few challenging hurdles to jump in coming quarters. The biggest problem on Boeing’s belt is their customers; most airlines are struggling in the weak economy.
The problem of high fuel costs still lingers, even though that problem has been gone since Fall 2008. Yet the volatality of fuel is still there, and the demand for more fuel efficient aircraft will only increase. Despite intense competition from Airbus, Boeing is reaping the benefits from the increasing value of the dollar.
The 787 still has 878 firm orders. The program has suffered through a few cancellations due to delays and airline profitibility woes. As long has Boeing stays on-track from here on, I don’t think we’ll see much change in the order status. We may see a few deferalls, but most airlines that have purchased the 787 have been waiting for it for a long time and really want it.
Quotes & News Source: Chicago Tribune
