Qantas Kills Order for 15 Boeing Dreamliners

SYDNEY, Australia -- Qantas Airways said Friday it had canceled orders for 15 Boeing(BA Quote) 787s, or Dreamliners, and delayed the delivery of a further 15 aircraft because of turbulent market conditions.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the decision had not been influenced by Boeing's announcement earlier this week of a design issue in the 787 and further delay to the aircraft's first flight. He said discussions with Boeing about the order had started some months ago.

Qantas said it had reached a mutual agreement with Chicago-based Boeing to defer the delivery of 15 Boeing 787-8 aircraft by four years and cancel orders for 15 Boeing 787-9s (which are slightly larger) scheduled for delivery in 2014 and 2015. ...