The force is strong with this airline.
All Nippon Airways this fall will roll out a 787-9 Dreamliner from the Boeing Co. with the paint scheme patterned after the popular Star Wars character R2-D2.
That will be just before the planned Christmas release of the latest film in the Star Wars series, “The Force Awakens,” which made waves Thursday with the release of the film’s second trailer.
The Japanese carrier has a special website that offers a look at the new plane.
ANA is the largest operator of 787s in the world. It was the Boeing’s (NYSE:BA) launch customer on the 787 program, and recently became the first Asian carrier to have all three models on its books following an order for the largest version, the coming 787-10.
Each of those planes, including the R2-D2 jet, have ties to Wichita.
The city’s largest employer, Spirit AeroSystems Inc. (NYSE: SPR), builds the forward fuselage and other components on the 787.
Those portions of the plane are flown from Wichita to Boeing assembly sites in either Washington state or South Carolina.
The 787 is one of Boeing’s and Spirit’s most important programs.
Production has been ramped up to the rate of 10 per month and Boeing’s delivery of 30 of advanced passenger jets in the first quarter put it on track to meet its annual delivery goal of 120 for 2015.