Boeing delays disappoint customer

CHICAGO, April 9 (UPI) -- Boeing announced further delays in the 787 Dreamliner production schedule Wednesday, predicting the delivery of 25 planes in 2009.

The new schedule, the third major delay announced, was "based on a more conservative production plan," the company said in a statement.

The company blamed the delays on "unanticipated rework and the addition of margin into the testing schedule."

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Officer Scott Carlson said the new schedule is "built upon an achievable, high-confidence plan," but added, "we deeply regret the disruption and disappointment these changes will cause for our customers."

In a conference call on the Dreamliner Wednesday, Carson said six flight test planes would be completed and flying by early 2009, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.

While the announcement was widely anticipated, one customer, All Nippon Airways, said it was "extremely disappointed," the report said.