Boeing has rolled out the first B787 Dreamliner built at the new rate of five aircraft per month.
The new wide-body aircraft is the 83rd B787 to be built and marks the latest stage in a gradual increase in production rates for the B787 programme.
Earlier this year, the US planemaker increased the B787 production rate from 2.5 to 3.5 aircraft per month and is on track to achieve a planned 10-per-month rate by late 2013.
“This accomplishment, doubling our production rate in one year, is the result of the combined efforts of thousands of men and women across Boeing and at our partners,” said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the 787 programme. “The entire 787 team is focused on meeting our commitments. They’ve gotten even smarter in how they build this airplane and applied real ingenuity in making our processes and tools more efficient.”
To date, 35 B787s have been delivered to eight airlines, while Boeing also has more than 800 outstanding orders with 58 customers. The first ever Dreamliner was delivered to ANA in September 2011.
