Where to begin as there's a lot of new stuff.
First let's take a look at the positives. Boeing has 4 787s being readied at Everett for ANA. These are ZA506 (LN 47, JA809A), ZA507 (LN 48, JA810A), ZA508 (LN 51, JA811A), and ZA509 (LN 56, JA812A). ZA 508 is currently in the paint hangar but this plane had spent some time at EMC so I do believe that it is getting its aqueous wash and paint job done before being pulled to the fuel dock for fueling tests then to the flightline for mini gauntlet, engine start and first flight. Thus Boeing will have 4 787s ready for ANA in June maybe more. There has been a line move and currently the 4 787s that are inside 40-26 are ZA135 (LN 66, position 4), ZA118 (LN 67, position 3), ZA536 (LN 68, position 2) and ZA119 (LN 69, position 1). All but ZA536 are for ANA with ZA536 going to LAN. It is conceivable but not certain that ZA135 can go straight to paint and flightline with its engines and start preparation for delivery in about 2 weeks and can possibly be delivered at the end of June. This will be a major milestone for Boeing when it happens. Also ZA461 (LN 58) has made an appearance at the Everett Fuel Dock and I believe that this airplane is being prepared for delivery. I expect it will go into the paint hangar shortly before re-emerging for pre-delivery tests and final delivery to Qatar Airways in June and on display at Farnborough in July. Lastly, ZA237 (LN 46) has filed a flight plan fro Charleston to Fort Worth so this airplane can be painted for Air India. It is currently still in Charleston delayed by weather in the Dallas area. This last point is a nice lead into....
The Negatives
Only one (HUGE) negative which Air India. and here I just don't know where to start my rant. I (and probably 99.9% of of the world) thought that the issue of compensation to Air India for the delays was settled. According to the Govt. of India it is not and thus Boeing may have a dozen 787s for Air India sitting on the ramps at Everett and Charleston waiting to be delivered. The Air India debacle is a case study on how not to run an airline particularly when you are government owned and you have bureaucrats who know nothing of the airline industry making key decisions. ZA233 (LN 29, VT-AND) is all ready to be delivered and I suspect so is ZA236 (LN 35, VT-ANH). How long it will take to complete the negotiations on compensation is anyone's guess but this is Air India attempting to have Boeing pay for the decisions made by the carrier mistakes once again. The pilots strike over who flies the Dreamliner is also bleeding the carrier so they need money and they're going to Boeing for that money. This saga won't end until Boeing has delivered the 27th and final 787 to Air India and washes their hands of them.
Uresh - Thank you for all of the updates, you do a great job!
ReplyDeleteSo are you thinking June Deliveries may be:
ANA - 4
Qater - 1
Air India 0-3
8 in one month would be huge!!
It's quite possible though it all depends on what happens with AI and also how well production goes on the 787s that don't need to go through change incorp.
ReplyDeleteUresh,
ReplyDeleteAs always, thanks for the updates. Two quick questions:
Do you know about how long it took lines 56 and 58 to go through the EMC?
Also, now that three frames are done with with change incorporation, what takes their place in he EMC? Matt Cawby has a picture up of LN 45 being towed to the EMC about two weeks ago, so that irt would seem is one. Any idea on the other two?
I'm not sure how long they were in Emc but I believe they exited 40-26 about two months ago but that doesn't mean they spent two month in EMC. Not sure which frames are in there now, LN 45 could be one but it could also still be outside. Boeing is always shuffling frames inside and out.
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