27 August 2010 | Angeline Albert
US aerospace firm Boeing has been forced to further delay its Dreamliner aircraft programme because it is awaiting the supply of engines from Rolls-Royce.
Boeing said in a statement that it now expected to deliver its first 787 Dreamliner jet in the middle of the first quarter of 2011 as it continues to carry out tests on the plane. Billed as a more fuel-efficient jet as a result of its lightweight material, the 787 programme is already more than two years behind schedule.
A spokesman for British firm Rolls-Royce said: “We have been informed by Boeing that the currently planned dates for Trent 1000 engine deliveries will now not support their latest flight test programme requirements. We are working closely with Boeing to expedite delivery in support of their programme schedule.”
A statement issued by Boeing said: “The delivery date revision follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall. While Boeing works closely with Rolls-Royce to expedite engine availability, flight testing across the test fleet continues as planned.”
Boeing has faced a number of supply chain issues in its delayed manufacture of the Dreamliner. In April the company announced the programme to deliver the aircraft would be pushed back to the third-quarter of 2009, because of “slower than expected completion of work” by suppliers.
