Boeing on Friday delivered the first 787-8 Dreamliner built at its new Charleston, South Carolina assembly plant.
The milestone aircraft, registration VT-ANI, went to Air India, airline’s second 787 a month after receiving its first Dreamliner. (While the first delivery ceremony was held in South Carolina, that plane was actually assembled at Boeing’s main facility in Everett, Washington.)
“Within just three years of breaking ground, we have flown and delivered our first airplane built at Boeing South Carolina,” said Jack Jones, vice president and general manager, Boeing South Carolina. “This is a tribute to the remarkable Boeing South Carolina team and the support we have received from our airline customers, our supplier partners and the Boeing enterprise, as well as the relationship we have with the State of South Carolina.”
While VT-ANI was mostly completed at a rollout event this past April, its delivery — and that of several other Dreamliners bound for Air India — was delayed due in part to a disagreement between Boeing and the airline over compensation for completing their order several years later than promised.
The delivery marked the 28th 787 delivered to date. Boeing intends to boost production in South Carolina to three Dreamliners per month by the end of 2013.
Cutting the ceremonial ribbon on Air India’s second Boeing 787 (VT-ANI), from left to right: Capt. Amitabh Singh, Air India Pilot; Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes;K. M. Unni, Air India Board Member:Jack Jones, vice president and general manager, Boeing South Carolina. (Photo by Boeing)
