Boeing’s B787 deliveries are set to resume this week, following a pause in late February over documentation issues. The manufacturer halted deliveries after discovering an analysis error related to the 787 forward pressure bulkhead. Boeing informed the FAA of the issue, which then said deliveries would not resume until the problem was satisfactorily addressed.
This is not the first time that the Spirit AeroSystems-built forward pressure bulkhead on the B787 has caused issues for Boeing. Deliveries were stopped in May 2021 after the FAA discovered gaps around the bulkhead after installation. The component was replaced in August 2022, which allowed deliveries to resume. Spirit AeroSystems has been delivering a fully-integrated fuselage B787 structure to Boeing since 2007.
Boeing has completed its analysis of the problem and confirmed that the aircraft continues to meet all relevant requirements, according to a spokesperson for the company. “The FAA will determine when 787 ticketing and deliveries resume, and we are working with our customers on delivery timing.”
Boeing Has Addressed Concerns
The FAA has confirmed that Boeing has addressed its concerns and that it may resume issuing airworthiness certificates this week. However, the agency must sign off on every plane before Boeing can deliver it.
Boeing has declined to name a specific date for resumption of deliveries or to answer questions on which airline is first in line to receive delivery. United Airlines is the carrier with the most B787s on order, with 101 due and is reportedly set to obtain its next one later this month. According to Boeing’s unfulfilled orders data, 575 of the type remain on order but undelivered, but this figure does not take into account the 20 B787-9s recently ordered by Air India.
The resumption of B787 deliveries is a positive step forward for Boeing as it seeks to put past issues behind it and move forward. The B787 is a popular aircraft type for airlines, with many still waiting for their orders to be fulfilled. It remains to be seen when exactly deliveries will resume and which airlines will be the first to take delivery, but the FAA’s indication that it is likely to allow resumption this week is a positive sign.
Source: Ch-Aviation
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