Boeing said on August 27 its much-delayed 787 Dreamliner is expected to undergo its first test flight by the end of the year, with first delivery seen in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Boeing said the new schedule reflected a previously announced need to reinforce an area within the side-of-body section of the aircraft and an additional several weeks needed to reduce flight test and certification risk.
The company projected a production rate of 10 airplanes per month in late 2013.
"This new schedule provides us the time needed to complete the remaining work necessary to put the 787's game-changing capability in the hands of our customers," Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said.
"The design details and implementation plan are nearly complete, and the team is preparing airplanes for modification and testing," he said.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2009
