Dreamliner coming to NZ next month

One of the most eagerly anticipated aircraft, the much delayed Boeing 787 'Dreamliner' will be paying a visit to New Zealand next month, Air New Zealand has announced.

The airline, one of the first in the world to order the new plane, said today it would play host the Boeing 787-8 test aircraft at its engineering base at Auckland International Airport from November 12 - 14.

Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe said the aircraft would change the way New Zealanders travelled.

"This is an aircraft which has the exciting environmental advantage of using up to 20 per cent less fuel while also being able to carry up to 50 per cent more cargo than other jet aircraft of comparative size," Fyfe said.

Its composite structure also enabled better cabin humidity and lower relative cabin altitude for a more comfortable flying experience, Fyfe said.

"We're looking forward to seeing the 787 in our skies for the first time.

Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager for the 787 program at Boeing Commercial Airplanes said the company was thrilled to be able to bring the test plane to New Zealand.

"While the interior is filled with test equipment and therefore far from showroom standard, the exterior is not only aerodynamically efficient but extremely beautiful and people will be able to see just how different it looks."

Branded the "Dreamliner" by Boeing, the structure of the 787 aircraft makes significant use of lightweight high-tech composite materials to deliver operating efficiencies and customer comfort, including higher humidity levels and a more comfortable, lower cabin altitude.

Exact timings of the 787's arrival on Saturday 12 November non-stop from Seattle are to be confirmed.

News of the 787'S New Zealand visit comes as Boeing heard yesterday it was losing a major customer for the plane, when China Eastern Airlines cancelling its order for 24 Dreamliners, saying it had waited long enough.

The Shanghai-based airline swapped the 787 order for 45 of Boeing's smaller 737s instead. It also placed a new order with Boeing competitor Airbus for 15 new A330s, which are in roughly the same size class as the 787.

Last month, Boeing delivered the first 787 to a customer, three years late. The delays have forced airlines to revise their fleet plans and have cost Boeing goodwill with its airline customers. China Eastern said in a filing that the 787 cancellation was "due to Boeing Company's delay in delivery."

The 787s are fuel-efficient and long-range and are meant to be used on long international flights. Boeing's 737 is generally used on shorter-haul flights. Deliveries of the A330 are due to begin in 2013.

"These guys need the capacity today, and Boeing can't deliver it," said Citi analyst Jason Gursky.

Even though it is now delivering 787s, Boeing still faces a tough production ramp-up. It is aiming to make 10 per month by the end of 2013. Neither Boeing nor anyone else has made a large plane that fast before.

In the short run, the switch to the 737s is to Boeing's benefit because profits are higher on 737s, Gursky said. Boeing has not yet said when it expects to turn a profit on the 787, but expectations are low.

Once the Chinese government approves China Eastern's 787 cancellation, Boeing will have lost orders for 178 of the planes. That would still leave it with orders for 797 of the aircraft.

- NZ HERALD STAFF / AP