Boeing 787 deliveries may be delayed to 2012, analyst warns

The Boeing Co.’s most recent problem with its 787 could lead the jetmaker to delay Dreamliner deliveries until 2012, says one analyst.

Morgan Stanley analyst Heidi Wood wrote in a note to investors today that Boeing likely will need to make design changes to its 787 as a result of the electrical fire that broke out on the second 787 last week. The design changes could push first delivery into 2012, Wood wrote.

Wood estimates that Boeing’s 787 test planes won’t start flying again until late December or early 2011.

Boeing has said it’s too early to comment on how last week’s incident will affect 787 deliveries.

Boeing originally planned to deliver its first 787 to Japan’s All Nippon Airways in May 2008 but has suffered troubles with its global supply chain. Before the electrical fire, Boeing had planned to deliver the first 787 in February. However, its subsequent deliveries to other customers already were in question as carriers like Japan Airlines and Korean Air had said they were being informed of delivery delays of up to 10 months.

For more on Morgan Stanley’s 787predictions, read this Bloomberg News report or read the note on analyst Scott Hamilton’s Leeham News site.