Saturday, April 13, 2019

Boeing Delivers 17 787s in March,; 36 for quarter amid ongoing 737 MAX woes


Number
Testing Complete3
To be assembled in Everett123
To be assembled in Charleston124
Parts Arriving6
Undergoing final assembly7
Storage2
Storage/Change Incorporation and Re-Work0
Change Incorporation and Re-Work0
Pre-Flight Prep9
Production Testing4
Non Customer Flight Tests0
Ready for Delivery3
Donation3
Delivered818
TOTAL1102

Even though Boeing really didn't have a good month in March, the 787 program finished the 1st quarter of 2019 in strong fashion with the delivery of 17 Dreamliners to customers as well as book a total of 20 net orders for the 787-9 (Lufthansa).  In the first quarter Boeing delivered 36 787 (29 x 787-9 and 7 x 787-10) thus averaging 12/month.  During the same period, Boeing received orders for 38 787s (34 x 787-9, 4 x 787-10).  Now that Boeing is delivering at a rate of 14/month, they have to target the same number, in terms of average monthly orders.  Boeing's order average for the 1st quarter is 12.67/month which I feel is a decent rate but my expectation is that they will book between 13 and 14 787 on average per month.

The notable deliveries that occurred in March include: Korean Air's final 787-9 on order and Egypt Air's first 787-9 on lease from AerCap.



During March, Boeing rolled out 14 787s, 7 from each assembly line thus reaffirming the production rate is 14/month and split evenly between Everett and Charleston.  The final assembly time for both locations range from between 15 days and 18 days but it is safe to say that there is no distinction between either locations with regards to 787 production except that Charleston will be the sole supplier of 787-10s while Everett will be the sole supplier of 787-8s.

I am expecting that Boeing will deliver up to 18 787s this month with 3 already delivered.  Among these deliveries is the 2nd 787-10 built and used for flight tests using the GE-GEnx-1B engines.  This airplane is to be delivered to United Airlines around the end of the month.  Also Air Canada will receive the final 787 from the order of 37 787s.  The bulk of the deliveries will be 13 787-9 with one 787-8 (already delivered) and 4 787-10s.

Lastly,  there is one notable 787-9 that has been sitting in Charleston for over a year now.  This Dreamliner, ZB061 (LN 688, B-1216) was to have been the last 787 delivered to Air China last year.  Instead it is currently serving the role as the most expensive paper weight made by Boeing.  It is still listed as assigned to Air China but there is still no dates for first flight or delivery.

787 Spreadsheets

2 comments:

Dave said...

I wonder what the delay is with the air china frame. Also how much work will be needed to bring her out of storage and ready for flight

Trapperpk said...

Don't expect order trend line to flatten. The Boeing philosophy is a Goldilocks bent of just right. The 787, even though slightly smaller and less expensive to buy or operate than the A-350, is making bottom lines across the aviation map smile. As soon as the 777X comes to market, the A-350-1000 becomes not a viable option for most airline wanting a super hauler. Boeing market research is stronger than Airbus pride. Price and Performance beat Pride every time.