Boeings Dreamliner hit by further delays: report

Contacted by AFP in London, a Boeing spokesman refused to comment on the report, which cited a letter sent by the company explaining that orders will now be, fulfilled a total of 27 months late.On April 9, Boeing said the first flight would move into the fourth quarter of this year rather than the end of the second, with first delivery planned for the third quarter of 2009 instead of the first.The latest delay primarily affects companies expecting to take delivery from 2012 and beyond, Die Welt spelled out, citing Air Europe, Gulf Air, Vietnam Airlines and British Airways.The Dreamliner, Boeings first new model in over a decade, was designed using high-tech plastic composites instead of aluminum, which reduces its weight.
Boeing maintains that it will consume 20 percent less fuel then similar-sized planes.Able to fly up to 15,750 kilometers (9,700 miles) without refueling, it could fly between New York and Manila, or Moscow and Sao Paulo, routes so far only open to bigger planes such as Boeings 777 or 747.Boeing hopes the Dreamliner will be used to open up routes between cities which so far have no direct links such as Seattle-Shanghai, Boston-Athens or Madrid-Manila.The news comes with Boeing and European maker Airbus in a heated battle for supremacy of the skies.