Boeing Says 787 Back on Track

The new chief of the 787 program at Boeing(BA Quote) says he has stepped up oversight of outsourced work on the widely anticipated aircraft, and he assured that the first delivery will occur on schedule late next year.

Boeing also said it can deliver 109 of the new aircraft in 2009, as projected, although it declined to offer specifics of the timetable. "We have not found any fundamental flaws in our production system design that would lead me to believe it's not doable," said Pat Shanahan, during a conference call with analysts and media.

Shanahan took over as vice president and general manager of the 787 program in October, replacing Mike Bair, shortly after Boeing said the first delivery would be pushed back by six months until November or December of 2008. ...