JETSTAR'S foray into Europe looks set to be deferred to 2010, with Boeing expected today to announce more delays to its 787 Dreamliner project.
The aviation giant is scheduled to give an update on the problem-plagued project today, in which experts are tipping up to nine-month delays.
Deliveries have been delayed twice, due largely to a global shortage of fasteners. If the predictions are accurate, the third wave of delays will ensure the project is up to 18 months behind schedule, pushing it perilously close to the extended delays experienced by Airbus with its A380 project. Qantas has 65 orders for the aircraft, plus 50 options and purchase rights.
The first deliveries will be handed to Jetstar to launch its much-awaited flights into southern Europe, taking up the routes that Qantas has withdrawn from in recent years.
The budget airline was expected to accept its first of 15 Dreamliners in May 2009, ensuring a nine-month delay would push delivery into 2010.
Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation believe the delays are inevitable.
"Boeing is preparing to announce this week what is expected to be a third delay to the B787 program. The manufacturer previously stated it would announce a new delivery schedule either early this month or on April 23 when it reports first-quarter earnings," CAPA's report said yesterday
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