Boeing starts 787's Trent 1000 engines, juggles Qantas deliveries

Boeing planned to start the Trent 1000 engines yesterday on its first 787 test aircraft and is finalizing a deal with Qantas to avoid Dreamliner deferrals.

ZA001, which spent last week completing its fuel tests along with an APU start, was due to leave the fuel dock Saturday to be moved to the flight line. ZA002, the second flight test aircraft, was rolled out of the paint hangar last week in ANA colors, although ANA's first 787 is slated to be ZA007.

Even as it prepares for first flight (ATWOnline, May 5), Boeing has done some 11th hour juggling of its 787 production positions to satisfy a Qantas demand for better delivery of its order for 65. The deal will ensure that QF low-cost subsidiary Jetstar will get 15 787-8s over 18 months from May next year to spearhead a major expansion program to Europe.

QF had threatened to defer some early 787s, but Jetstar now will get aircraft originally destined for some Chinese carriers and Northwest Airlines. QF originally contracted to get one a month for 65 months from August 2008 but Boeing's production problems have thrown that program into disarray.

A Jetstar spokesperson could not confirm a final agreement on the rearranged delivery schedule but he said the airline is planning for its first delivery next May. QF plans to use 15 787-8s for Jetstar's expansion and 50 787-9s to replace its own 767 and A330 fleets.