Twin assembly plants for Boeing’s Dreamliner
Boeing has chosen its facility at North Charleston, S.C. as the location for a second final assembly site for the 787 Dreamliner program. Boeing says it evaluated criteria that were designed to find the final assembly location within the company that would best support the 787 business plan as the program increases production rates. As well as being the location for final assembly of 787, the facility also will be capable of supporting the testing and delivery of the completed aircraft.
This is a first time for Boeing, which has for the first time stepped outside Seattle for commercial aircraft assembly.
“Establishing a second 787 assembly line in Charleston will expand our production capability to meet the market demand for this aircraft,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This decision allows us to continue building on the synergies we have established in South Carolina with Boeing Charleston and Global Aeronautica,” he said, adding that the move would strengthen the company’s competitiveness and sustainability and help it grow for the long term.
The new assembly line, at a plant purchased from Boeing component supplier Chance Vought Industries last July, will partly insulate Boeing from crippling industrial actions at Seattle that have already set back the B787 program by more than two years. South Carolina is a less-unionised state and the former Chance Vought employees last month opted not to join the machinists union.
In the negotiations with S.C State, Boeing also secured a multi-million dollar tax break incentive package that includes state taxes on fuel.
Boeing Charleston already performs fabrication, assembly and systems installation for the 787 aft fuselage sections, a heritage of its contract with Chance Vought. Across the street, Global Aeronautica, which is 50 percent owned by Boeing, is responsible for joining and integrating 787 fuselage sections from other structural partners.
Until the North Charleston 787 assembly line is brought on line, Boeing will establish “transitional surge capability” at its Everett, Wash., location to ensure the successful introduction of the 787-9, the first derivative model of the 787. When the second line in Charleston is up and operating, the surge capability in Everett will be phased out.
“We’re taking prudent steps to protect the interests of our customers as we introduce the 787-9 and ramp up overall production to 10 twin-aisle 787 jets per month,” said Albaugh.
“While we welcome the development of this expanded capability at Boeing Charleston, the Puget Sound region is the headquarters of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Everett will continue to design and produce aircraft, including the 787, and there is tremendous opportunity for our current and future products here,” Albaugh emphasised. “We remain committed to Puget Sound.”
Boeing says some 55 airlines have ordered around 840 787s since the program was launched in 2003. The 787 family will carry 200 to 250 passengers on flights up to 8,200nm (15,200km). The 787 will be more efficient, quieter and have lower emissions than other aircraft while offering passengers greater comfort and the convenience of direct, nonstop flights between more cities around the world.
“The 787 will provide airlines with unprecedented operating economics and efficiencies. It also will take passengers where they want to go, when they want to go, and do it more comfortably and affordably than ever before,” Albaugh said. “This aircraft will allow us to continue to set the standard for commercial aviation in the second century of flight.”
