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Fresh delay for Boeing Dreamliner Fresh delay for Boeing Dreamliner
(30 minutes later)
Boeing has announced that it will delay the maiden flight of its new Dreamliner 787 aircraft, the latest postponement to befall the project. Boeing has announced that it will delay the maiden flight of its new Dreamliner 787 aircraft, the latest postponement to hit the project.
The flight had been due to take place on 30 June, but the US company said it had now been delayed due to a need to reinforce a side section of the plane. The flight had been due to take place on 30 June, but the firm said it had now been delayed because of a need to reinforce a side section of the plane.
Only last week, Boeing told the BBC that the Dreamliner would have its first flight "in a couple of weeks". First deliveries will be put back further because of the delays.
Boeing said in April it would have to postpone its first deliveries. Last week, Boeing told the BBC that the Dreamliner would make its first flight "in a couple of weeks".
Boeing is due to give more details about the latest postponement at a news conference later. Boeing denied that the latest delay to befall the Dreamliner was due to the plane being constructed from a large proportion of plastic composites instead of aluminium to keep down its weight.
Before the latest announcement, the long-range, medium-sized Dreamliner was already 15 months behind schedule. "Structural modifications like these are not uncommon in the development of new airplanes, and this is not an issue related to our choice of materials or the assembly and installation work of our team," said Scott Carson, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Before the latest announcement, the long-range, medium-sized Dreamliner was already more than two years behind schedule.
Best sellerBest seller
Boeing had received 802 orders for the Dreamliner by the start of 2008, which made it the plane-maker's fastest selling model. Boeing had received 865 orders for the Dreamliner, which made it the plane-maker's fastest selling model.
The company's first completely new aircraft since 1995, the Dreamliner takes advantage of new technology that allows much of it to be made of lighter, plastic composites instead of aluminium. The Dreamliner is the company's first completely new aircraft since 1995, and Boeing says the use of plastic composites means it will consume 20% less fuel than similar-sized planes.
Boeing claims that as a result, it will consume 20% less fuel than other, similar-sized planes. It also has a greater range than other planes of its size, which Boeing hopes will mean it can open up new, direct long-haul routes.
It also has a greater range than similar-sized planes, which Boeing hopes will mean it can open up new, direct long-haul routes.