787

Boeing has launched the first 787 Dreamliner aircraft built at the increased product rate of ten aircraft per month.

The 787-8 is the 155th Dreamliner built by the aircraft maker, and will be delivered to International Lease Finance Corp for operation by Mexican flag carrier Aeromexico.

This aircraft will be the fourth 787 to be operated by Aeromexico, and will be put into service on the airline’s Mexico City-London Heathrow route.

Over the last one year, Boeing’s 787 programme increased its production rate three times to ten aircraft per month, the highest ever rate for a twin-aisle jet.

The aircraft manufacturer produced five aircraft per month in November 2012 and seven per month in May 2013.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes 787 programme vice-president and general manager Larry Loftis said: "The entire 787 team is now focused on capturing efficiencies at this historic level of production, as well as meeting our commitment to increase the production rate to 12 per month in 2016 and to 14 per month by the end of the decade."

The assembling and delivery of 787 aircraft is performed at two locations in Everett, Washington, and North Charleston, South Carolina.

Boeing has delivered 115 of its 787 jets to 16 customers to date.

Overall, the 787 programme has 1,030 orders from 60 customers worldwide.


Image: The new 787 will be delivered to International Lease Finance Corp for operation by Mexican flag carrier Aeromexico. Photo courtesy of Boeing.

Defence Technology