The U.S. aerospace company Boeing confirmed on Tuesday this week that it will cut production of its 787 models after finding yet another production-related structural defect. The firm said it would lower the production rates below the current rate of five aircraft a month. It also expects to deliver fewer than half of the 787s currently in inventory this year.
"We will continue to take the necessary time to ensure Boeing aeroplanes meet the highest quality prior to delivery. Across the enterprise, our teams remain focused on safety and integrity as we drive stability, first-time quality and productivity in our operations," the company said.
This latest, in a series of production-related flaws, first reported by Reuters on Monday, involved unacceptable gaps around the forward pressure bulkhead, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said. The FAA said late on Monday that Boeing, which spotted the problem, would fix it before the planes are delivered.
Unconfirmed reports from maintenance professionals in Europe have expressed concern that some integral parts have been wearing out on the jets far earlier than expected and before scheduled checks take place.
Boeing has also been hit by another 737 MAX order reduction after flydubai said on Tuesday it has agreed with Boeing to cut the number of aircraft it will take delivery of by 65. The United Arab Emirates budget carrier airline has already taken delivery of 16 MAX jets out of its total order of 251, but has, according to some at Emirates and flydubai, not performed as expected.
Major program deliveries during the second quarter were as follows:
Major Programs | 2nd Quarter | Year-to- | |||||
Commercial Airplanes Programs | |||||||
737 | 50 | 113 | |||||
747 | 1 | 2 | |||||
767 | 8 | 13 | |||||
777 | 8 | 14 | |||||
787 | 12 | 14 | |||||
Total | 79 | 156 | |||||
Defense, Space & Security Programs | |||||||
AH-64 Apache (New) | 6 | 15 | |||||
AH-64 Apache (Remanufactured) | 16 | 31 | |||||
CH-47 Chinook (New) | 3 | 6 | |||||
CH-47 Chinook (Renewed) | 1 | 4 | |||||
F-15 Models | 5 | 8 | |||||
F/A-18 Models | 7 | 11 | |||||
KC-46 Tanker | 2 | 4 | |||||
P-8 Models | 3 | 6 | |||||
Commercial and Civil Satellites | — | — | |||||
Military Satellites | — | — | |||||
Note: Delivery information is not considered final until quarterly financial results are issued. |
Adam Shaw plus Reuters reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; editing by Will Dunham
More top stories you might be interested in.....
Follow this site here.