Boeing Dreamliner 'on schedule' for flight tests

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has proven a problematic project for the plane manufacturer, is reportedly on schedule to undergo flight tests before the end of the year.

Reporting on the progress of the aircraft, which is expected to rival the Airbus A380, 787 programme manager Pat Shanahan said that steady progress is being made on getting the global production system up and running.

Mr Shanahan, who was speaking at the Farnborough Airshow, also pointed out that the 787 has achieved record sales, with almost 900 orders to date.

He added: "In the last year alone, we received orders for 259 787s. Of that number, 63 airplanes have been ordered by eight different repeat customers."

One of the most recent airlines to commit itself to the Dreamliner is Etihad Airways, which ordered 35 787s, as well as ten Boeing 777s.

These purchases were part of a bulk order by Etihad for up to 205 planes, which is one of the largest single aircraft orders in the history of commercial aviation.

Boeing's 787 will reportedly offer a number of advantages over its rivals, including a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and a more comfortable passenger cabin.

• Exeter Airport toasts record-breaking month
• Air France tests mobile boarding passes
• Bmi doubles flights from London to Moscow
• British Airways business class check-in open at Terminal 5
• Gustav not as severe as first feared
• New Zealand celebrates 'top country' award
• Luton Airport invests in multilingual technology
• Airlines take action as Gustav approaches
• Terminal 5 hosts impromptu basketball match
• Airline collapse leaves 60,000 looking for transatlantic flights