Northwest Airlines says the first of 18 Boeing 787 aircraft it has on order will be delivered during the fourth quarter of 2009 instead of its original August 2008 delivery date.

The Minneapolis-based carrier placed its 787 order in 2005, making it the North American launch customer for the aircraft. Northwest also has options for 50 additional 787s.

Carrier CEO Doug Steenland told analysts and investors today that based on the recent announcement by Boeing of a delay in 787 production, Northwest’s first delivery is scheduled for the last three months of 2009.

“Obviously we’re very disappointed by the deferral in the delivery schedule,” says Steenland, “but there is every intent to take every one of those 18 airplanes”.

Northwest’s chief executive stresses the 787 “remains a key piece of the long-term strategic future of Northwe

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