Boeing 787: AA signed major order for 42 plus 58 options

[Kerosene Kraut]

German engine manufacturer MTU (GEnx partner) claims that AA signed the Boeing order for the Dreamliner. 42 firm 58 options.

Source:
MTU: American Airlines hat Boeing 787-Großauftrag unterzeichnet - FLUG REVUE

That's good news ahead of today's financial figures and program update...

[glad rag]

What are they selling for now??

[mickyman]

Why would an airline like American sign up at a time when the
project is quietly waiting for a positive fix on all its woes.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel......?

MM

[Kerosene Kraut]

Could be anybody's cancelled delivery slots at bargain prices. B will finally build it and AA needs new a/c. Sounds reasonable.

[apaul]

I expect MTU, in true New Labour style, is re-announcing an existing American Airways order rather than a new order.

[powerstall]

Just stirring it up a bit. I guess.

[racedo]

This initially reported in Oct 2008

Obviously someone needs some positive spin on the plane that hasn't flown.

[Kerosene Kraut]

Announced yes but signed not. So this is news as it is now called a firm order by MTU. And Boeing does not count it until now in their O+D list.

[robertbartsch]

Boeing took a loss this past quarter that was reported in the press today, in part, as a result of mods necessary to fix the new 787 which has pushed back deliveries.

Apparently, the wing box stringers that are made of composites need to be beefed up from the original design. They claim to be on schedule to roll some out before YE but, who knows.

[Papa2Charlie]

AA have a large number of 767's that will need to be replaced in the future and the 787 is the natural replacement aircraft. In terms of the deal, they took the GEnx on the 787 as GE/GECAS provided AA and the parent AMR with a significant cash bailout. GECAS have also bought a large number of the 737-800 that AA have on order under a sale and lease back arrangement to raise cash for AA. It was reported a couple of weeks ago in the FT.