Midland aerospace firms boosted by delivery of first 787

MIDLAND aerospace firms have received a welcome boost with the long-delayed delivery of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner to its first customer.

All Nippon Airways in Japan is the first commercial for the new airliner, which utilises many components made in the Midlands.

The £130m aircraft is notable for its use of pioneering new composite materials which reduce its overall weight and boost efficiency, offering greater range.

GKN Aerospace and Rolls-Royce are main suppliers, while Umeco and Hampson Industries both supply composite materials for use on the new plane. The West Midlands’ aerospace supply chain also feeds into these major tier firms.

In addition, firms such as Eaton, GE Aviation, Goodrich, Moog and Ultra Electronics, all of which operations in Midlands are also involved in the project.

Difficulties in the production schedule and the onset of recession are thought to have delayed the programme by around three years.

However, Boeing has orders for more than 800 planes and the first commercial flight of the aircraft, destined for October 26, will be a welcome sign of renewed confidence in the project.

The Seattle-based manufacturer intended to produce around 10 planes per month from 2013 and is hoping to secure additional orders with airlines around the world.

The Dreamliner is a flexible aircraft with a single-aisle, while its seat configuration can be amended to accommodate between 210 and 290 passengers. It is designed for both domestic and long-haul services and Boeing s targeting its sales strategy on the growing markets of the India-pacific region, where air passenger growth is predicted to be strong.

All Nippon Airways intends using the aircraft on domestic routes in Japan but will also operate a long haul service from Haneda to Frankfurt.