Etihad, Gulf Air not worried about new 787 delays

The latest Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft delays will have little, if any, impact on Etihad Airways, the airline said on Wednesday.

A day earlier, US planemaker Boeing admitted the first flight and subsequent deliveries would be rescheduled due to technical glitches that could take weeks to resolve.

Boeing has already pushed back its delivery timetable, which is thought to be 18 months behind schedule. The company is expected to announce how long the latest setback will take in the coming weeks.

While the setback is unwelcome news for other Boeing 787 customers, Etihad insists it will have no bearing on the airline’s operation. The Abu Dhabi carrier has 35 Dreamliners on order, with the first deliveries expected in 2014 at the earliest.

When speaking to Arabian Business, an Etihad spokesperson said: “Boeing are keeping us regularly updated and we are confident that the agreed delivery schedule will still be met.”

Last week, Etihad announced an engine order, to power various aircraft including the 787s, which could rise to $14bn.

Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air is also a 787 customer, with 24 on order. But like Etihad it expects no operational issues following Boeing’s announcement.

“With reference to the latest news reports that the first flight and initial delivery of Boeing 787 Dreamliner is delayed, Gulf Air would like to state that it does not anticipate any delay in the scheduled delivery of its order of 24 B787 aircraft,” a spokesperson for the airline said.

“Gulf Air’s choice of the B787 is part of its long term fleet renewal strategy, as such it expects the B787 Dreamliner to be a key part of Gulf Air's wide-body assets.”

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker is likely to be less diplomatic following his outburst during last week’s Paris Airshow.

He criticised Boeing for constantly delaying the 787 launch and warned the company it will be in for a “very very serious surprise” if it continues to drag its heels.

The Doha carrier has 60 Dreamliner 787s on order among the 92 aircraft bookings that it has lodged with Boeing.

When contacted by Arabian Business, Qatar Airways declined to comment on Boeing’s latest Dreamliner delay.

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