Boeing replaces 787 aircraft program chief

SEATTLE, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. aerospace giant Boeing Co. said Tuesday it replaced its 787 jet program head, days after admitting the program was at least six months behind schedule.

Effective immediately, 787 Dreamliner Vice President and General Manager Mike Bair, 51, is replaced by Pat Shanahan, 45, who headed two previous Boeing widebody jet programs before moving over to the company's military unit five years ago.

Bair was named to the senior post of vice president of business strategy and marketing for Boeing's commercial airplanes unit, Boeing said.

Commercial airplanes Chief Executive Officer Scott Carson praised Bair, but said, "Pat's experience and proven record managing demanding and complex programs" were needed to complete the plane's production.

Boeing would not make either Bair or Shanahan available for interviews.

The first delivery of the 787 -- the fastest-selling widebody airliner in history -- is now set for November or December 2008, Boeing said.

Boeing shares, which had dropped by about 6 percent since the Oct. 10 delay announcement, rose $1.11, or 1.17 percent, to close at $95.94 on the New York Stock Exchange.