UK holiday carrier Thomson Airways' first Boeing 787-8 is scheduled to arrive at Manchester on 31 May, just over a month before it is due to enter service.

The carrier will be the first UK airline to receive the 787.

Thomson has confirmed the arrival date for the General Electric GEnx-powered twinjets.

"Preparations are currently being put in place to celebrate its arrival," says the carrier. "We are excited about welcoming this innovative aircraft into our fleet."

Thomson will put the 787 into service in early July.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have also ordered the 787 but UK operator Monarch Airlines cancelled its order for six of the type in mid-2011.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news