Randy Baseler, vice-president of marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, says the delay is due to technical considerations.

ECONOMIST: Boeing v Airbus

By Christmas, the situation had not much changed: Ron Woodard, the boss of Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, said cancellations by stricken Asian airlines would be a welcome relief to his overloaded factories though he did not in fact expect any.

ECONOMIST: Bouncing Boeing

Who, then, would want to be in the very large shoes of Ron Woodard, the man who runs Boeing's Commercial Airplane Group?

ECONOMIST: Aircraft making

Ray Conner, president and chief executive officer of Boeing's commercial airplane unit, said in a statement that the company's focus has been on developing a permanent resolution.

CNN: FAA approves proposal for fixing Dreamliner battery woes

That measure is about the same as Boeing's last major new commercial airplane, the 777, which was launched in 1995.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Shares in Boeing dropped Wednesday morning after the commercial airplane and jetline builder reported a slip in its fourth quarter profit due to lower than expected commercial airline deliveries.

FORBES: Boeing Profit Drops in Q4, Dow Rallies

"We're always working to ensure that our products offer the airlines of the world the most modern and robust technologies available to provide their passengers with an exceptional flying experience, " said Mike Sinnett, senior chief engineer of Airplane Systems for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

ENGADGET: Boeing 747-8, 777 to join 787 in support for in-flight cellphone use and WiFi, like it or not

Commercial airplane chief Ray Conner was dispatched to represent Boeing at a Jan. 11 news conference with senior U.S. government officials, and Mr. McNerney has assigned Mr. Conner and other executives to handle much of the contact with airlines, according to a person familiar with the customer conversations.

WSJ: The Two Men Behind the 787