The Seattle Times has claimed that Boeing's 787 Dreamliner program could be delayed for a further two years and run more than 20% over budget.
Citing anonymous Boeing employees as sources, the US newspaper states that the cost of the program is set to run to $18 billion from a budget of $5 billion; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is threatening to withhold certifying the 787 to fly the intercontinental routes; heavy condensation inside the composite plastic fuselage; while the program’s managers are claimed to be firing anyone who reports more bad news. This is added to the widely reported suppliers problems, the cockpit fire and the amount of unfinished aircraft.
Meanwhile oil spot prices are now in the $90 to $93 range and rising. If the harsh winter in the northern hemisphere continues we can expect $100 to be broken by mid January. This news will of course leave airlines feeling sick that they do not have 787s in their fleet by now.