Dreamliner delays may cost Boeing billions

CHICAGO, May 9 (UPI) -- Production delays on the 787 Dreamliner could cost Chicago's Boeing Co. billions in late fees, industry analysts said.

In a filing at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Boeing said the average delay for the Dreamliner would be "in excess of 27 months," the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Friday.

The total on the late charges are hard to calculate, however. All Nippon Airways, one of the first in line for the jumbo jet, may accept a Boeing loan of 767s in lieu of demanding cash from Boeing, a source said.

But, Air Canada's Chief Executive Officer Montie Brewer said his company would demand compensation for delays on the 37 Dreamliners it has on order, the Post-Intelligencer said.

Boeing had expected to push 112 Dreamliners out the door by the end of 2009, but has revised its schedule and now expects to complete just 25 airlines by then, the newspaper report said.