Barcelona Travel

Barcelona International Airport opened its doors several months ago and now is more than prepared for the arrival of the new eco-friendly Boeing 787 Dreamliner, set to make its first test flight, almost two and a half years late.

Grounded by a series of hitches, including design problems, strikes and even a shortage of bolts, Boeing has pegged its hopes for the future on the plane, which promises to be one of the most fuel-efficient in the world.
It has attracted some 840 orders from all over the globe, although some have been cancelled because of the delays. Its popularity is partly thanks to its lightweight design. Made of carbon and titanium, it should reduce fuel consumption as well as save on maintenance costs.

Some 840 orders for the 787 Dreamliner makes the plane worth about $140bn (£86bn) for Boeing, but first, the aerospace giant must get the plane ready for delivery to airlines.
Analysts warn that the maiden flight is just a step towards that goal, not a sign that everything is fine.

The 787 is already 30 months behind schedule and there could be further delay as the aircraft begins test flights and seeks federal certification

Boeing says it will deliver the plane to customers by the end of 2010. Analysts say that is a very optimistic timetable while the design aims to make the plane nimble and able to fly long distances without refuelling.