Third Airplane On Hold Pending Resolution Of Electrical System Issues

A delay in the delivery of a third Boeing Dreamliner to launch customer ANA is causing the Japanese carrier to alter its international route plans for the 787 while it waits for the airplane.

Boeing reports there have been problems with the installation of some wiring which cropped up during a routine FAA audit of the first three airplanes off the line. The Seattle Times reports that APUs on three airplanes also failed to start, which required the planemaker to replace them. The delays have caused Boeing to reduce deliveries originally targeted at seven airplane this year to a likely four and no more than six.

ANA had expected to see its third Dreamliner in November, and was making plans to use the airplane on long-range routes to Germany in January. An ANA spokesperson said Boeing would now only promise the airplane "sometime this month," and a Boeing spokeswoman told the paper that the company is working hard to "minimize the impact" of the delivery delay.

ANA said it still is hopeful it will have 11 Dreamliners flying before April 1st, but has no firm schedule for when they will arrive. For the time being, ANA says it will continue to fly its Frankfort, Germany route with a 777-200ER.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.fly-ana.com