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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
4

Problems Sour Boeing's 'Dream Summer'

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(Newser) – Boeing was expecting to ride high on defense contracts in mid-2009 even as its 787 Dreamliner transformed air travel—but widespread problems have shadowed the firm's "dream summer," Dan Reed writes in USA Today. The Dreamliner's launch was delayed for a fifth time after structural problems were discovered, and analysts fear for the company's future as orders are canceled and defense contracts scaled down amid cutbacks and poor performance.

Boeing is still turning a profit, Reed notes, but investors are unsettled by the company's borrowing and bloated inventory. Many are losing faith in management's credibility, especially after the last-minute announcement of the Dreamliner's latest delay. The plane—dubbed the "Nightmareliner" by critics—still represents the company's best shot at future success, but it must get off the ground first, and Boeing managers don't even know if that will happen this year.

The Boeing 787 line is shown at Boeing Co.'s airplane assembly plant in Everett, Wash. The plane's maiden flight has been delayed five times in two years.
The Boeing 787 line is shown at Boeing Co.'s airplane assembly plant in Everett, Wash. The plane's maiden flight has been delayed five times in two years.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
The first production model of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is unveiled to an audience in this July 8, 2007 photo.
The first production model of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is unveiled to an audience in this July 8, 2007 photo.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, file)
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Every aircraft, and every defense program Boeing is involved in is having problems. Boeing is, quite simply, a mess right now. And I say that as an unhappy shareholder.
- Scott Hamilton, an independent aircraft manufacturing and sales analyst

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4 comments
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cochiserocks
Aug 6, 09 5:15 AM CDT
Considering the plane is based on an almost 15 year old concept, the 777, and that Airbus seems to be on schedule with their version, I wonder if we're seeing the straws that break the camels back in action here. Reply
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oldgoat
Aug 6, 09 5:25 AM CDT
A 15 year old concept? Basically a all composite plane is hardly the case, plus the fact that in this case it was parceled out to many manf to make parts of it from the beginning. Reply
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Yourself
Aug 6, 09 10:39 AM CDT
they based it on the 777, a 15 year old plane. so yes, this plane is there for a 15 year old concept in the works. with that said, boeing jumped the gun 2 years ago by releasing it so damn early. they should have waited (and i hope they've learned this mistake now) to fly one and then say "hey, check out what we've got flying now" instead of having a plane that can't fly stuck in hangars for 2 years trying to iron out the kinks of what turns out to be a 15 year old work in progress...
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matteo
Aug 6, 09 6:44 AM CDT
15yrs old?? i didnt know that thanks!!, then it should be easier to create yet they dont know when !! what kind of people run this company ?? Reply
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