German Magazine Says FAA Has Delayed Certification

As if Boeing didn't have enough problems right now, placating customers peeved at delays with the 787 Dreamliner... now the American planemaker is fighting off what it says are unsubstantiated reports of yet ANOTHER problem regarding the composite-bodied airliner.

Reuters reports a German magazine published a story Sunday, saying the FAA recently told the planemaker of an issue regarding certification of the 787, which in turn would push back first deliveries by another three-to-six-months. That's on top of the latest delay, announced by Boeing earlier this month, pushing first deliveries to late 2009 -- about 15 months later than originally planned.

There's just one problem with the report by Focus magazine, Boeing says... it's not true, and the company hasn't heard differently from the FAA.

"The FAA has been overseeing our certification effort every step of the way and this is not our understanding," said Boeing spokeswoman Yvonne Leach.

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said she was not aware of a new delay with the Dreamliner, giving the standard response "we continue to work with Boeing on certification of the aircraft."

According to the German report, delivery of the first aircraft to 787 launch customer All Nippon Airways would be pushed to early 2010 by the latest, rumored delay.

FMI: www.boeing.com