Boeing is laser sharp when it comes to its use of language, especially in press releases. As ZA002 completes its time in Japan for Service Ready Operational Validation, the company's line on 787 first delivery has changed in a subtle, but important, way. When the company first announced in May it planned to take ZA002 to Japan it narrowed its handover of the first 787 for All Nippon Airways to August or September, that target is now identified as "later this year."
The official Boeing Commercial Airplanes Twitter account responded: "No change to our current plan to deliver the 1st Boeing 787 Dreamliner in August or September timeframe. FYI @flightblogger #787EIS #Boeing"
The progression of announcements is as follows.
May 26, 2011
Boeing plans to deliver the first 787 to ANA in the August to September timeframe.
June 21, 2011
Launch customer ANA is expected to take delivery of the first 787 in August or September.
June 27, 2011
"We are ready for this final phase of flight testing," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "The team has created a solid plan for accomplishing the hours and test points required for F&R and ETOPS testing in support of delivery to our customer ANA in the August to September time period."
July 4, 2011
Boeing plans to deliver the first 787 to ANA in the August to September timeframe.
July 12, 2011
ANA's first scheduled service with the 787 will be either the Tokyo Haneda-Okayama or Tokyo Haneda-Hiroshima route when deliveries begin later this year.Either Boeing has decided to add a bit of variety to its wording for 787 first delivery or there is ground work being laid for a delivery after September.
I hope it's the former.
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