Boost for Boeing as 787 Dreamliner deliveries recommence after 15-month delay

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed it expects Boeing to recommence deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner this week, with American Airlines due to receive the first of these new deliveries es early as today (Wednesday). This will be the first delivery of a Dreamliner since April 2021.

The approval from the FAA comes after Boeing completed inspection and retrofit changes that were essential in order to meet certification standards. Boeing had come under considerable scrutiny with regard to the company’s involvement and processes in the Dreamliner’s airworthiness certification, while in 2020 the FAA began to investigate certain manufacturing flaws found in the aircraft. American Airlines confirmed on a July earnings call that it anticipates receiving nine 787s in 2022, including two in the earlier part of this month. It currently has 42 Dreamliners on order, excluding this week’s Dreamliner due for delivery.

Boeing said it continues “to work transparently with the FAA and our customers towards resuming 787 deliveries.” In July, the FAA approved Boeing’s plan for specific inspections to verify the airplane meets requirements and that all retrofit work has been completed. Boeing has approximately 120 787s awaiting delivery and the FAA has made it clear that it “will inspect each aircraft before an airworthiness certificate is issued and cleared for delivery.”