Paris PR Offensive

Rule #1 of strategic communication:
Create your own narrative.

The Day Before Paris

Boeing aims at late August or September for 787's first flight
Tinseth says that 787-8 number one "will fly when it's ready to fly", and has about the scope of about a month to get airborne without disrupting the flight-test schedule.
Posted June 17

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First Day of Paris

Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Goodrich to Make Aviation History
As the history-making Boeing 787 Dreamliner prepares to be unveiled in Everett, Wash., Goodrich Corporation is once again poised to play a role in the history of the industry. According to Goodrich's Jack Carmola, Segment President, Actuation and Landing Systems, "Across the Goodrich enterprise we have a true sense of pride and accomplishment for the contributions we've made to the Dreamliner. We're truly fortunate to be part of the industry at such an exciting time.
Posted 3:00am

Hamilton Sundstrand Nearing Completion of Delivery of Systems for Boeing 787 Dreamliner
"The Boeing 787 is absolutely vital to the future of our company and we are totally committed to supporting Boeing's flight test program," said Hamilton Sundstrand President, David P. Hess. "We have already delivered more than 97 percent of our hardware and nearing completion of all our delivery requirements."
Posted 3:00am

GE Aviation’s System Deliveries Nearing Completion to Support 787’s First Flight
GE Aviation recently announced several delivery milestones for its Tier 1 support of the Common Core System, High Lift Actuation and Landing Gear System on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The work, which is expected to generate more than $3 billion over the life of the program, is scheduled to support the 787 first flight scheduled for third quarter 2007.
Posted 3:00am

Japan's Kawasaki Heavy considering new plant to meet Boeing 787 demand
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd said it is in talks with Boeing Co to build a new parts plant in response to brisk demand for the aerospace giant's next-generation 787 Dreamliner.
Posted 3:19am

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And then this...

JP Morgan says Boeing 787 up to 4 months late
"We believe that the 'power on' to the aircraft was scheduled for April 21, but is now scheduled for August 15, and even that date is considered a bit of a stretch by some suppliers," said JP Morgan analyst Joseph Nadol in a research note, citing unnamed suppliers on the 787 program.
Posted 8:38am

Blowing the Top Off of Paris - Massive Order for American Airlines

UNCONFIRMED BY OFFICIAL SOURCES
Reliable sources inside the aviation industry have told Flightblogger that American Airlines intends to place a "massive" narrow and wide-body order at the Paris Air Show that includes:

- Boeing 787s - 100-125 firm, plus another 100 options
- Additional Boeing 777s - firm number unknown
- Boeing 737s - 100 firm, options unknown

This reasoning behind this order makes sense for the long term growth and modernization for American Airlines. The Boeing 787 fills an important place in the American fleet as older model Airbus A300s and Boeing 767s are retired. American currently operates a fleet of 34 A300s that range from 19 to 14 years old, as well as 73 767s. American has already announced that they will be retiring their non-ER 767-200s which range from 22 to 25 years old. The fleet of 299 McDonnell Douglas MD-82/83 are set to be retired beginning in 2009. The oldest is 24 years old. These aircraft have already been slated for replacement by Boeing 737-800s.

The deal, following completed retirement of the McDonnell Douglas and Airbus fleets, will result in American Airlines becoming an all Boeing fleet, as well as consolidating eight aircraft types to just six. American currently operates the worlds largest fleet of aircraft.

As part of the deal, Boeing will award American Airlines the maintenance contract as part of the Goldcare program. The Boeing Goldcare program is intended to maintain aircraft value and minimize unexpected costs throughout the life-cycle of the 787. American Airlines just completed roughly $100 million worth of upgrades to its Tulsa maintenance facility.

If confirmed, this would be the largest single order for the Boeing 787 program. The details of this order are unconfirmed by official sources, but have been corroborated by sources within the aviation industry. The deal is expected to be officially announced at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Field from June 18-24.