Lufthansa’s first B787-9 Dreamliner rolls out of Boeing premises

Dhaka: Lufthansa's first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has rolled out of Boeing's factory. The national carrier of Germany has ordered 25 units of this popular wide-body.

Last fall marked ten years since the first Boeing 787 delivery with the lucky initial receiver being Japan's All Nippon Airways. Ever since, the aircraft went on to become a global hit with over 1,000 units produced.

Major carriers like American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines, among others, are with significant holdings of the twinjet. Now, another global carrier Lufthansa made it to the list.

In March 2019, Lufthansa placed an order for 20 787s, with another five ordered last May.

The first arrival is set to head to Toronto, Canada, and was initially expected by Christmas 2021. However, the carrier conceded that a 2022 delivery would be more realistic following industry challenges, including FAA restrictions.

Boeing has not delivered any new 787 to commercial airlines since May 2021 as safety regulators found production flaws in the aircraft. Additionally, the FAA halted deliveries of the plane in 2020 due to production issues.

On this occasion, Lufthansa said, “The German capital will receive a new “flying” ambassador: Lufthansa is naming its first Boeing 787-9 "Berlin.”

The naming ceremony is set to take place following delivery of the aircraft this year. "Berlin" is the first of five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners" that Lufthansa will add to its fleet in 2022.

A Lufthansa spokesperson said, according to reports, the airline expects to enter the 787-9 in the second quarter of this year.