Boeing is facing a major battle from Australian airline Qantas who is seeking compensation after a second unexpected delay in the delivery of their 787 Dreamliner jet. Qantas has ordered 65 of the fuel-efficient aircraft in efforts to expand its network of flights in Australia, UK and Asia. Qantas has stated that the delivery delays will hurt its growth plans and their scheduled expansions.

Boeing production problems mean deliveries of the Dreamliner won’t begin until early 2009, with Japan’s All Nippon Airways due to be the first recipient which puts Qantas even further behind schedule. Qantas said it would not get the first batch of their planes before May of 2009, although a delivery date was yet to be confirmed.

Geoff Dixon, Qantas’ chief executive said although the delays would have a short-term effect on the group’s international expansion plans, they would not affect the group’s overall expected earnings. He said Qantas might make claim damages in certain circumstances under the terms of its contract with Boeing.

Qantas celebrated 60 years of service between the UK and Australia in December of 2007. The carrier first flew from Sydney to London in 1947 on the “Kangaroo Route” with 29 passengers and 11 crew members aboard a Lockheed Constellation. The flight took 55 hours total with six stop overs. Today the same journey will take 23 hours with just one stop over.

The relationship between Qantas and the UK continues to grow daily as more travelers seek the outback as a holiday destination.

www.qantas.com.au