Boeing has increased projections for delivery of its new 787 'Dreamliner' aircraft from 96 to 112 by 2008-09 and will end this year with 254 firm orders, a senior company official said on Wednesday.
Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the next generation 787 program, said that Boeing found room at the end of 2009 to add 16 planes to its early production schedule.
Boeing will start building the midsized 787 in 2007 and store some ahead of regulatory certification. It will roll out the first jet for delivery the following year.
It will end 2005 with 254 firm 787 orders and has booked its production run to the first part of 2012. Bair would not discuss annual production rates beyond 2009 but said the company is being very careful about scheduling as demand several years out is still unknown. It is also negotiating with airlines to firm up commitments to buy 787s.
Boeing expects the strength of the 787 program in 2006 to remain in Europe and Asia, but also covets the potential for additional orders from big US carriers. Some of the major domestic airlines have older, less efficient planes and must make decisions about updating their fleets.
"We're engaged as we can be with all potential customers. There is no question at some point these big guys are going to decide they have to do something," Bair said. "We're going to have to be able to accommodate them."
So far only Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines have orders in for the 787, and Northwest is bankrupt.
Boeing also awaits fleet decisions from Europe's big carriers.
The 787, touted for its fuel efficiency and range of up to 9,000 miles, is configured for between 200 and 250 passengers.
Boeing is considering a stretch 787 that could seat up to 300 people, but production could not begin until 2012 at the earliest, Bair said.
