Boeing yesterday pushed back first deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner by at least six months as it struggles to assemble the new lightweight plane.
The delay is an embarrassing setback for Boeing, which has for months insisted it would meet its delivery timetable despite production problems. The problems mirror delays suffered by rival Airbus on its A380 superjumbo.
'We are disappointed by today's schedule changes and deeply regret the impact these delays will have on our customers,' said Boeing chief executive Jim McNerney.
Boeing, which has orders for more than 700 of the 787 planes from 48 airlines and leasing companies - worth more than $100 billion at list prices - said there would be no 'material' impact to its earnings and left its forecasts for this year and next unchanged.
The Chicago-based company said 787 deliveries are now due to begin in late November or December 2008 versus an original target of May 2008. Boeing shares closed down 2.7% to $98.68 on the New York Stock Exchange.
