EVERETT, Wash., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Final assembly has begun on the first Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner destined for delivery to launch customer ANA (All Nippon Airways) of Japan.

ANA and Boeing launched the 787 program with a firm order for 50 of the all-new composite jetliner. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2010.

Boeing and ANA celebrated the occasion with a traditional “Kagami wari” ceremony, the breaking open of a wooden “Taru” (sake barrel) lid with wooden mallets.

“This is a great day for the 787 team,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program. “In 2004, ANA demonstrated great faith in Boeing and the 787 by placing the largest launch order for any new airplane in Boeing history. Since then, the ANA team has been an integral part of developing the 787 family of airplanes.

“Speaking for our entire global 787 team, including our partners, I’d like to say we are honored by ANA’s commitment to the Dreamliner,” Fancher said. “We look forward to our continued partnership as we prepare the 787 to enter commercial service.”

“Congratulations to Boeing on the start of the historic assembly of the first 787 Dreamliner for commercial flight,” said ANA President & CEO Shinichiro Ito. “As the launch customer, we are delighted and excited to see the achievement of this milestone and to have worked closely together to reach this day. We look forward to the start of the 787 flight test program and delivery into our fleet next year.”

The 787 Dreamliner has 865 orders from 56 airlines, making it the fastest-selling all-new jetliner in aviation history.

Pictured from left to right are: Kinichiro Suetsugu, manager – ANA U.S. Engineering; Takeo Kikuchi, general manager – ANA U.S. Engineering; Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager – 787 program and Mike Fleming, director of Services and Support – 787 program.