Dream ‘green’ arrivalis late

BOEING’S much-delayed “leaner and greener” new passenger plane — the 787 Dreamliner — touched down in Britain for the first time yesterday.

Beset by production problems, the Dreamliner landed at Farnborough ahead of the start tomorrow of the seven-day, biennial international airshow at the Hampshire airfield.

Powered by Rolls-Royce engines and with many of its parts made in Britain, the Dreamliner is trumpeted by US-based Boeing as being lighter and more fuel-efficient than its rivals.

British Airways and Thomson Airways are among the carriers who have ordered the Dreamliner which can seat up to 330 passengers.

The plane, which will be on static display at Farnborough this week, had been due to go into passenger service with its launch customer, Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA), in spring 2008.

But that date had to be pushed back as Boeing found itself having to cope with a series of difficulties.

The company now hopes to deliver the first 787 to ANA by the end of this year, but there are fears that this date could slip into 2011 — meaning the first fare-paying flight will be almost three years late.

BA has ordered 24 Dreamliners, with the first due to be delivered in 2012. Boeing has taken more than 850 orders in deals worth around £100 billion (€77bn).

Ian Godden, chairman of ADS, Britain’s aerospace, defence and security trade organisation, said: “The Dreamliner is a terrific aircraft and the British aerospace industry is proud of its major contribution to the programme.

“With Rolls-Royce engines alongside contributions from other world-leading British-based companies, 25% of the plane by value is made in Britain.