Boeing's revolutionary new Dreamliner 787 will provide a major boost for the Italian aerospace industry, officials said Monday.
The fuselage and other components of the new 'plastic' airliner have been built by Alenia Aerospazio, the aerospace unit of Italian industrial group Finmeccanica.
Speaking as the Dreamliner was rolled out near Seattle, Finmeccanica chief Pier Francesco Guarguaglini told ANSA:
"This is an important day for aeronautics and for Finmeccanica because it sees the birth of one of the most significant commercial successes in history".
He said Alenia's level of specialisation in composite materials were the fruit of targeted investment since the 1980s which have enabled Finmeccanica to reach "points of technological excellence" in the aerospace field.
"Thanks to the experience we have gained we will be able to achieve a position of leadership, bringing further important projects and business opportunities," Guarguaglini said.
Some 26% of the Dreamliner is Alenia's and will be produced in two plants in the southern Italian region of Puglia, at Grottaglie near Taranto and in Foggia.
"It's a really great day for Boeing's industrial collaboration with Alenia," said Boeing Italia chief Rinaldo Petrignani, noting that a plant the size of 15 soccer pitches had been set up at Grottaglie "in record time".
The airliner, billed as a response to Airbus's giant A380, is 50% built of carbon fiber making it light enough to save 20% on fuel costs.
Boeing chief James McNearney called it "a dream come true".
As the A380 has struggled with delays that have hit orders, the Dreamliner has already spurred 100 billion dollars' worth of orders, he noted.
