Boeing Halts 787 Deliveries due to Fuselage Component Issue
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Boeing Halts 787 Deliveries due to Fuselage Component Issue

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Antonio Gozain By Antonio Gozain | Senior Journalist and Industry Analyst - Fri, 02/24/2023 - 12:02

Boeing has halted deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner jets due to an issue with a fuselage component, according to a statement from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In reviewing certification, the US planemaker says it "discovered an analysis error by our supplier related to the 787 forward pressure bulkhead. We notified the FAA and have paused 787 deliveries while we complete the required analysis and documentation." The FAA stated that deliveries will not resume until it is satisfied that the issue has been resolved. While Boeing has assured customers that there is no immediate safety concern for the in-service fleet, its shares fell by almost 3% following the announcement, reports SimpleFlying.

This is not the first time that production flaws led Boeing to halt deliveries of its Dreamliner airplanes. The FAA had previously suspended deliveries in May 2021 after discovering manufacturing flaws and concerns over Boeing's inspection methods. The FAA resumed deliveries in August 2022 after approving Boeing's inspection and modification plan.

Boeing's CFO, Brian West, had announced in January that the company was hoping to deliver 70 to 80 Dreamliners to customers in 2023. However, the latest delivery halt will undoubtedly impact these plans, reports Reuters.

Spirit AeroSystems, the supplier of the forward pressure bulkhead for the 787 jets, said in a statement that it considered it to be too early to assert that there was an “analysis error.” The component acts as a barrier between the pressurized interior cabin and the radome (or nose cone). Boeing has stated that it discovered the issue during the past week and is working with the FAA to determine any necessary actions for recently delivered airplanes.

Boeing has had some tumultuous few years due to the grounding of its 737 Max, the COVID-19 pandemic and production issues causing a drop in orders. The latest issue with the 787 Dreamliner jets is yet another setback for the company as it strives to regain its footing in the aviation industry. In 2022, the planemaker delivered 480 aircraft and received 774 orders after cancellations and conversions, as reported by MBN. Compared to 2021, these figures represent a 41% increase in deliveries and a 61.5% increase in orders.

Boeing has a significant presence in Mexico, with operations spanning manufacturing, engineering, training and community engagement. In Queretaro, the planemaker manufactures components for many of its aircraft, including the 737, 747, 777 and 787. In addition, Boeing works with Mexican suppliers to source parts and components for its planes. The planemaker also trains Mexican pilots and maintenance technicians through its Flight Services division across several locations, including Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Boeing Shares Fall

Boeing’s shares fell 3.2% in premarket trading on Friday after the planemaker temporarily halted deliveries of 787 Dreamliner jets, reports Reuters. In addition, shares of Spirit AeroSystems were down 2.6% before the bell.

Photo by:   Jetstar Airways

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