Boeing Replaces 787 Chief after Delay Announced

A week after Boeing announced that the first deliveries of 787s to customers would be delayed six months, the company replaced Mike Bair as general manager of the 787 program with Pat Shanahan, formerly head of its missile defense systems unit. Bair was named vice president of business strategy and marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Here Bair is seen with a model of the 787 two days before Boeing publicly unveiled the aircraft on July 8, 2007. Credit: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

SEATTLE (AP) -- Less than a week after announcing a delay in its new 787, Boeing Co. said Tuesday it is replacing Mike Bair, the program's vice president and general manager for the past three years.

Pat Shanahan, who has headed up missile defense systems at Boeing's Wichita-based military unit, will replace Bair, who has led the 787 program since 2004, when the company won its first order for the midsize, long-haul jet, Boeing said.

Bair has been named vice president of business strategy and marketing for the company's Seattle-based commercial airplanes division, Boeing said.

Both moves take effect immediately.

In a statement announcing the moves, Boeing did not mention its decision last week to delay its first delivery of the 787 by six months to November or December 2008 because of production problems.

Scott Carson, chief executive of Boeing's commercial airplanes unit, praised Bair for the work he has done.

"Mike has taken the 787 program from a concept to a market-leading position," Carson said in a statement.

Boeing shares fell 39 cents to $94.44 in afternoon trading Tuesday.

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