Airlines seek compensation for Boeing Dreamliner delay
Boeing faced a backlash by airlines Thursday after further delaying delivery of its new 787 Dreamliner, with two carriers demanding compensation from the US plane-maker and others set to follow suit.
By Agencies |
SYDNEY: Boeing faced a backlash by airlines Thursday after further delaying delivery of its new 787 Dreamliner, with two carriers demanding compensation from the US plane-maker and others set to follow suit.
Australia's Qantas and Air New Zealand both said they wanted compensation from Boeing for pushing back the long-awaited jet's delivery schedule for the third time, while Japan Airlines (JAL) said the situation was "deplorable."
JAL and All Nippon Airways (ANA) were also considering compensation demands, an embarrassment for Boeing as ANA is the 787's official launch customer, a role supposed to give it the cachet of being the first carrier to operate the plane.
More of the 50-plus carriers awaiting Dreamliner deliveries may also be tempted to seek recompense from Boeing as they face the prospect of delaying expansion plans and maintaining ageing fleets.
The 787 is a revolutionary aircraft that uses lightweight moulded plastic composites instead of aluminium to reduce weight, increase range and cut fuel consumption.
But its ground-breaking design has created development headaches, with Boeing blaming "unanticipated rework" and problems with suppliers for the latest delay.
ANA, Japan's second largest airline, was the first to order the Dreamliner in April 2004 but signalled its patience was wearing thin and said it was "extremely disappointed" with Boeing.
"They've been delaying the delivery again and again," ANA spokeswoman Kyoko Yaname said, revealing the airline "will demand that Boeing give us a reliable delivery schedule."
ANA has ordered 50 787s and planned to begin flying the first of them last month, in preparation for a spike in demand for the Beijing Olympics in August.
Australia's Qantas and Air New Zealand both said they wanted compensation from Boeing for pushing back the long-awaited jet's delivery schedule for the third time, while Japan Airlines (JAL) said the situation was "deplorable."
JAL and All Nippon Airways (ANA) were also considering compensation demands, an embarrassment for Boeing as ANA is the 787's official launch customer, a role supposed to give it the cachet of being the first carrier to operate the plane.
More of the 50-plus carriers awaiting Dreamliner deliveries may also be tempted to seek recompense from Boeing as they face the prospect of delaying expansion plans and maintaining ageing fleets.
The 787 is a revolutionary aircraft that uses lightweight moulded plastic composites instead of aluminium to reduce weight, increase range and cut fuel consumption.
But its ground-breaking design has created development headaches, with Boeing blaming "unanticipated rework" and problems with suppliers for the latest delay.
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ANA, Japan's second largest airline, was the first to order the Dreamliner in April 2004 but signalled its patience was wearing thin and said it was "extremely disappointed" with Boeing.
"They've been delaying the delivery again and again," ANA spokeswoman Kyoko Yaname said, revealing the airline "will demand that Boeing give us a reliable delivery schedule."
ANA has ordered 50 787s and planned to begin flying the first of them last month, in preparation for a spike in demand for the Beijing Olympics in August.
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