Delayed delivery of Boeing’s (BA.NYSE) 787 Dreamliner passenger jet will not have a significant impact on Air China’s (AIRC.LSE, 601111.SH, 0753.HK) operations, state media reported, citing a senior executive at the Beijing-based carrier. "This is not the first time that Boeing has postponed the delivery date. We should have received the first batch of 787 aircraft as early as June 2008," the executive said. He said Boeing’s advanced warning of a further delay in delivering the Dreamliners will give Air China time to "find alternatives." Air China had ordered 15 Dreamliners at a total cost of US$3 billion, but has since changed its order from the B787-8 to the B787-9 model, which can carry 40 more passengers. Despite positive comments from Air China about the delay, China’s flagship carrier has admitted that there is a shortage of long-haul aircraft on the mainland.