• 

  Boeing

  Stock Code:

  BA

  Date Founded:

  1916-07-15

  CEO:

  Dave Calhoun

  Headquarters Location:

  Chicago, USA

  Key Product Lines:

  Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787

  Business Type:

  Planemaker

Boeing CEO David Calhoun is optimistic about the progress being made between Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the 787 program. Last month, the FAA was not satisfied with Boeing's documentation to resume 787 deliveries, setting the program back even further.

Boeing confident in 787 progress

During an earnings call on Friday, Boeing's CEO David Calhoun expressed his confidence regarding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner program. The company hasn't delivered a Dreamliner since June last year and has around 115 aircraft built and awaiting delivery.

As Simple Flying explored last month, the FAA sent back parts of Boeing's documentation for its inspection plans, claiming they were incomplete. This raised fears that perhaps Boeing 787 Dreamliner deliveries won't resume in 2022 after all.

CEO David Calhoun said,

"Yes, I've read those reports too, and like everyone, I run in with a microscope and ask everybody, it has been a transparent relationship with the FAA on this one since the word go. So this isn't to save it up and then we'll hit them with it, and we'll win. That's not what this is. This is a back and forth that they've been involved in the process."

Boeing submitted the documentation in late April with the hope of resuming deliveries this year. Despite the setback, the manufacturer is confident it won't derail efforts to get deliveries back on track.

Calhoun added,

"Our confidence goes up submitting the application, knowing that we thought we understood what they wanted. Confirmation that, yes, we're moving down that path. I should be feeling better, and I do than the day we submitted it and definitely better than the period before we submitted it."

Working with the FAA

The FAA underwent a change in leadership earlier this year, with Steve Dickson stepping down as administrator roughly halfway into his five-year term.

According to Calhoun, the leadership shakeup hasn't impacted progress on the 787. Additionally, Boeing's CEO played down any adversarial relationship between the two parties.

Calhoun said,

"Honestly, it's been very seamless. And that team is stepping up. And most of this work is done at the local offices. So, our real relationship has to be built there. And it's like everything. I'll defend our team when I need to and they'll defend theirs. But we're not battling. It's not what this is. I think there's some pretty good recognition now over the last two years that we're going to be transparent straight every step of the way. We can't do anything without them. They want to see American industry succeed."

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

Airlines expect deliveries this summer

It appears that both Boeing and its customers are optimistic about the prospect of 787 deliveries taking place as early as this summer.

The program has around 480 unfilled orders and 115 Dreamliner's already built - notable customers awaiting their new jets include Lufthansa, Emirates, American Airlines, and Qatar Airways.

Lufthansa, which expanded its order to 32 Dreamliners last month, says it expects delivery of its first 787-9 Dreamliner over the summer, which it has named "Berlin."

On the other hand, Emirates says its first Boeing 787 won't be delivered until at least 2024 and is reviewing whether or not the Dreamliner has a place in its fleet.

Do you think Boeing 787 Dreamliner deliveries will get back on track in the next few months? Or do you envision more problems for the program? Let us know in the comments.