Quantcast

Boeing faces challenges after outsourcing 787 Dreamliner production

Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Alaska Airlines' “Aviation Day” inspires future aviators
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
Boeing faces challenges after outsourcing 787 Dreamliner production
Policy
Webp boeing787dreamliner
Boeing 787 Dreamliner | Official Website

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, initially hailed as a breakthrough in aviation, has faced significant challenges due to its outsourcing strategy. Boeing's decision to delegate major production responsibilities to over 50 international suppliers aimed at reducing costs and accelerating development, but instead led to supply chain disruptions and delays.

Boeing's approach marked a departure from its traditional manufacturing practices. Historically, the company maintained vertical integration, conducting most of its production in-house. However, for the 787 Dreamliner project, Boeing distributed design and production tasks globally. Suppliers from countries like Japan and Italy were responsible for critical components such as fuselage sections and wings.

This strategy resulted in compatibility issues and communication gaps. According to Supply Chain Digital, these problems weakened Boeing's control over the project. Delays extended the Dreamliner's first flight by over two years and added billions in unexpected costs. Forbes highlighted that Boeing underestimated the complexity of managing an extensive supplier network.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

ScienceDirect notes that the Dreamliner uses a substantial amount of composite materials, comprising about 50% of its airframe by weight. While these materials brought innovations like improved fuel efficiency, they also introduced regulatory challenges. For instance, lithium-ion battery issues led to a global grounding in 2013 after thermal runaway events.

Quality control became another significant concern for Boeing. Reuters reported that defects linked to supplier errors prompted intensified scrutiny from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA's investigations revealed inconsistencies in assembly quality across the supplier network.

Specific suppliers faced notable issues: Leonardo (Italy) dealt with defective parts accusations; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) had manufacturing process changes affecting wing fasteners; Spirit AeroSystems (USA) encountered analysis errors related to pressure bulkheads.

These incidents led Boeing to reassess its strategies. The company began consolidating key suppliers and increasing internal manufacturing efforts. Despite these measures, challenges persisted across other programs like the 737 MAX series, which faced software flaws leading to fatal crashes.

Boeing has since taken steps toward recovery by vertically reintegrating some suppliers and enhancing cooperation with regulators. Industry analysts suggest it may take time for Boeing to restore its reputation fully.

The lessons learned from the 787 experience emphasize the importance of oversight in outsourcing and integrating innovation with execution effectively. Future projects are expected to focus on tighter supplier oversight and prioritizing safety.

Boeing continues working on rebuilding trust through transparency and accountability while preparing for upcoming programs like the Boeing 777X.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The Emirates Group recently held an exhibition titled "Tomorrow Takes Flight," showcasing its sustainability initiatives in aviation.

Jul 4, 2025

Air France-KLM has announced plans to take control of SAS Scandinavian Airlines by increasing its ownership stake to 60.5% by the end of 2026.

Jul 4, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed concerns over the Global Solidarity Levy Task Force's (GSLTF) proposal to impose a premium flyer levy, citing potential negative impacts on the airline industry and broader economic...

Jul 4, 2025

American Airlines, known for its extensive network of hub airports, once operated a significant hub at St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) in Missouri.

Jul 4, 2025

Qantas Airways has reported a cyber attack targeting one of its contact centers, leading to a potential data breach affecting up to six million customers.

Jul 4, 2025

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is experiencing a significant increase in airline travel.

Jul 4, 2025