Associated Press

Seattle, April 26:

The Boeing Co board of directors has approved production of the 7E7 Dreamliner with a company-record launch order of 50 planes by All Nippon Airways, the manufacturer and carrier announced today.The order is worth $6.0 billion at list prices, although airlines typically negotiate substantial discounts for large orders. The precise dollar figure of the order was withheld.

Dreamliner production is scheduled to begin in 2006. The first flight of the planes - billed as a lighter, roomier, more fuel-efficient airliner - is anticipated next year and deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2008, according to the news release. The deal set a record for the number of planes ordered from Boeing by a single customer to begin production. The old record was set in 1960 when Eastern Airlines and United Airlines each ordered 40 727s. More 7E7 orders are likely in the coming weeks and months but “probably not on the order of magnitude of this order,” Boeing spokeswoman said.