Boeing decides to 'stretch' the capacity of 787 Dreamliner aircraft

Boeing decides to 'stretch' the capacity of 787 Dreamliner aircraft

NEW YORK - Boeing Co. has announced that it will be building a stretch version of its 787 Dreamliner jet, which has completely wowed airlines around the world. The 787 has proved to be a fuel-efficient aircraft and revived Boeing's fortunes last year allowing it to take on Airbus in the wide-body aircraft segment.

The composite-built Dreamliner is slated to start operating commercially in 2008 and its performance has sparked off a huge demand from airlines around the world. Bowing to this intense pressure, Boeing decided to extend the capacity of the aircraft, according to Mike Bair, the general director of the 787 program at Boeing.

"It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when, and finalizing some details around configuration," he said. "As time has marched on and we talked to other carriers it's become pretty obvious to us that the interest is more widespread than just Emirates, and that's really what has caused us to look at this opportunity more seriously."

Emirates airlines has for long advocated expanding the capacity of the 787, but Boeing had not given thought to this process until "about a dozen" other airlines expressed interest. "The one thing that continues to be a little bit lacking is obviously additional large carriers in the United States," he said.

"There are customers from every corner of the globe." He added that the company had 386 orders for the 787 out of which 298 were firm commitments. But more orders and commitments were expected in the coming weeks, Bair said. "You stretch an airplane for a second time and the operating economics get almost unbelievable," Bair said. "If anything, it's getting more frenetic as customers come in looking for more positions on the 787 program."