Boeing plans to resume second-half 787 Dreamliner deliveries, sources say | photo credits: shutterstock
SEATTLE/PARIS (Reuters) – Boeing has told major airlines and suppliers it will resume deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner in the second half, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. an important step for an industry eager to bounce back from the coronavirus health crisis.
The American aircraft manufacturer interrupted deliveries of this aircraft almost a year ago, due to structural problems, causing capacity problems for airlines.
Resuming deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner is crucial for Boeing in view of a planned increase in production of this model in the coming months.
The sources said the resumption of deliveries, originally scheduled for this month, has been pushed back to May and is expected to face further delays as Boeing grapples with inspections and repairs for around 100 of its 787 Dreamliners.
Boeing no longer communicates publicly on the potential timetable for a resumption of deliveries, subject to the authorization of American regulators.
The group has told airlines that deliveries will resume in the second half of this year, two sources said. According to one of them, a resumption of deliveries in the third quarter is a realistic hypothesis.
A Boeing spokesperson declined a request for comment, saying only that the US Civil Aviation Administration would decide the timing.
(Reporting Eric M. Johnson in Seattle and Tim Hepher in Paris; French version Jean Terzian)