Aircraft

Boeing has elevated the role of 787 executive Pat Shanahan and restructured supply chain and manufacturing groups into a single organization.

Shanahan has been appointed VP and general manager for all Boeing airplane commercial programmes, replacing Carolyn Corvi who is retiring.

Shanahan will continue to oversee the 787 programme, but Scott Fancher will replace him as VP and general manager of that programme.

Fancher, formerly VP and general manager for missile defence, follows Shanahan from the missile defence division to lead the 787 programme.

Boeing has also moved Ray Conner from VP of sales to head a new organization called supply chain management and operations.

Conner's new group combines supplier management, fabrication and propulsion systems and manufacturing and quality into a single entity.

"These moves will help drive results through our entire development and production system, deliver value to our customers and enhance our overall competitiveness," says Scott Carson, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The management changes were announced only a few hours after Boeing confirmed a further, roughly six-month delay for the 787 programme.

Conner's previous post in the sales group will be filled by Marlin Dailey.

Mike Denton remains VP of engineering, also reporting along with Conner, Shanahan and Dailey to Carson.