GE-powered Dreamliner gets FAA certification

The Federal Aviation Administration has certified the Boeing 787 Dreamliner powered by General Electric engines, the aerospace company announced minutes ago.

That means after a battery of ground and flight tests, federal regulators have determined the GE version of the Dreamliner, like the one being assembled for Air India in North Charleston, is safe and reliable.

Boeing received initial type certification for the 787 with Rolls-Royce engines in August. The U.S. FAA has now granted the Dreamliner with the other engine option its amended type certificate.

"This is a great day for our customers and for our team who worked tirelessly to ensure the Dreamliner offers breakthrough fuel efficiency, unprecedented performance and new levels of comfort," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, according to a company press release.

Boeing South Carolina's first Dreamliner is expected to roll out of the final assembly building in mid-April and fly away in June.

Despite more than three years of program delays, airline customers have ordered more than 870 Dreamliners as of Tuesday, according to Boeing.

Reach Brendan Kearney at 937-5906 and follow him at twitter.com/kearney_brendan.