In a statement issued at this year’s Paris Air Show Boeing has confirmed that final assembly has started on the first production 787, destined for launch customer Al Nippon Airlines (ANA).

Final assembly has started on the first of 50 787s destined for Al Nippon.

The first 787 for ANA was scheduled for delivery in May 2008, but has been delayed to February 2010.

Boeing is scheduled to begin flight testing on the 787 by the end of this month.