A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority, Guam

The super efficient 787 Dreamliner has arrived in Guam! Boeing will be testing the extended range operations and function reliability of its newest aircraft and the A.B. Won Pat International Airport. Guam will play ground host as Boeing conducts it tests in this part of the world. The aircraft is expected to remain at airport facilities for a few days for ground handling and refueling during the testing period.

What sets this 787 apart from other models is its ability to bring “big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, and “unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance”, Boeing states on its website. “The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than today’s similarly sized airplane. It will also travel at speeds similar to today’s fastest wide bodies, Mach 0.85. Airlines will enjoy more cargo revenue capacity. Passengers will also see improvements with the new airplane, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience,” Boeing further describes in its write-up of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

“The significance of this new model aircraft manufactured by Boeing is huge, not only to airlines but to airports, especially those with the characteristics of Guam. The airlines cut costs and increases options for their operations with the increased efficiency and long range capacity of the 787. In turn, airports such as Guam, can expect to see increased service with airlines operating the new aircraft with distance and fuel efficiency improvements,” stated Mary Torres, Executive Manager. “This opens Guam up to many different and new route options that never could have been considered with older model aircraft. Our extended runway(s) slated for completion in 2012 will be able to accommodate long range/long haul flights. Guam is certainly in a great position to attract transpacific operations and this test flight is indicative of what could be in our future.”

Boeing plans to deliver the first 787 to All Nippon Airways later this year.