A senior Boeing Co. (BA) executive said Monday that aircraft production could be hit in "several weeks" if it suffers disruption in parts from key Japanese suppliers in the wake of last week's earthquake and tsunami.

The company relies on Japanese companies for a third of the parts in its delayed 787--including wings and some of the fuselage--as well as components on other commercial models such as the 747-8 and 777 freighter and some military aircraft.

"We have a little bit of stock, but not much," Jim Albaugh, chief executive of Boeing's commercial airlines unit, said in an interview on CNBC. If disruptions last "several weeks" then Boeing "will have issues," he said.

Albaugh said potential disruption hinged on the availability of power to its partners as the Tokyo region suffeers rolling blackouts, as well as the ability of workers to reach plants.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (7011.TO), Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (KWHIY, 7012.TO) and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FUJHY, 7270.TO) are key partners in the 787 program, with the main facilities located around Nagoya.

Albaugh also said the first 787 was set for delivery to All Nippon Airways Co. (ALNPY, 9202.TO) "in the summer." Boeing's previous guidance was that the plane arriving during the third quarter.

-By Doug Cameron, Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4135; doug.cameron@dowjones.com

 
 
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