Boeing says Dreamliner is at 90 percent of certification

Boeing is edging ever closer to completing its 787 Dreamliner with the announcement this week that a test aircraft had passed 1,000 hours of flight. The company says that 90 percent of testing needed for certification has been completed.

However, on the same day as the announcement of the aircraft’s nearing certification (Wednesday), Fijis Air Pacific
canceled an order for eight of the new aircraft. Air Pacific had
previously canceled orders for five Dreamliners in 2006 and three in
2008.

Production delays have cost Boeing about 100 canceled orders for the 787. Still, Boeings first new class of aircraft since the 777 promises unmatched fuel efficiency by burning 20 percent less fuel than similarly sized airplanes.

Fifty-six buyers have placed orders for 835 Dreamliners valued at $162 billion, with the first one promised to Japans All Nippon Airways in the third quarter of this year. The aircraft, originally slated to debut in May 2008, has been delayed six times, plagued by technical difficulties, labor issues and cost overruns.