Boeing to deliver first 787 jet by year-end

Two of the jets are already carrying out flight tests and have clocked a total of more than 70 flying hours, said the company's marketing chief for commercial aircraft, Mr Randy Tinseth.

Another two aircraft will join the flight test program later this month, with the first delivery to Japan's All Nippon Airways expected in the fourth quarter of the year - a delay of more than two years.

Singapore Airlines has ordered 20 of the aircraft, which can carry more than 200 passengers each.

In a wide-ranging media briefing at the Singapore Airshow, Mr Tinseth also touched on the state of the industry, adding that while the global economy is seeing recovery, it would be some time before aircraft orders pick up.

Boeing expects to deliver between 460 and 465 aircraft this year, compared to 481 planes last year.

Many of these will be from the single-aisle 737 family, Mr Tinseth said.

On the positive side, the company expects to face fewer order cancellations and aircraft delivery deferrals.

Last year, Boeing customers ordered just 142 commercial aircraft - the lowest number since at least 2003 and just one-tenth of the 1,413 planes that were ordered in 2007. By contrast, its European rival Airbus had more than 270 aircraft orders last year.

When things pick up, Asia-Pacific will be a key focus for the company, Mr Tinseth said.

As for the bankruptcy of Japan Airlines, Mr Tinseth said that Boeing has not received any cancellations of the more than 70 aircraft the airline has ordered.

Last month, the Japanese carrier filed for bankruptcy protection with US$26 billion in debt.

The airline is due for an overhaul under a new corporate chief, with more than 15,600 jobs to be cut and many loss-making routes expected to be slashed.

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