Qantas issues statement on Boeing Dreamliner

SYDNEY – The delay in the delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner will not materially impact the operations of the Qantas Group of airlines.

The chief executive officer of Qantas Airways Limited, Geoff Dixon, said Boeing had assured Qantas that the 15 Dreamliners scheduled for delivery between August 2008 and December 2009 would all be delivered by the 2009 date.

"Boeing said the August 2008 aircraft would slip, but not by six months. Once that aircraft arrives, the remaining 14 aircraft deliveries will be staggered until December 2009."

Dixon said Qantas had contingency plans for any short-term capacity shortages.

"Once Boeing confirms a revised delivery schedule we will assess the need for any other measures such as delaying the retirement of aircraft.

"Compensation issues will be the subject of commercial negotiations between the Qantas and Boeing companies."

Dixon said Qantas saw no reason to change earnings forecasts.