Airlines seek alternative for grounded 787

It's a sign that some Boeing customers don't expect a quick fix to the 787's problems.

Jeff Knittel of airplane leasing company CIT said on Tuesday morning that unnamed airlines are talking to CIT about alternatives to the Dreamliner. He said leasing rates for planes like the Boeing 767 and the Airbus A330 "have remained strong and strengthened slightly."

Boeing's newest jet has been grounded for almost two months because of two battery incidents, including a fire. Late Tuesday, Boeing received regulatory approval for a proposed redesign of the battery, but extensive testing must be conducted before the 787 can fly passengers again.

Knittel said interest in other planes has come from a handful of airlines that already have the 787 or were supposed to get it before the summer travel season.

"This is not some feeding frenzy out there," Knittel said at an aviation finance conference. Airline fleet managers are just being practical, he said.

Boeing has delivered 50 planes to eight airlines. Deliveries are currently halted, but the company is still building the planes and has said it still expects to deliver at least another 60 this year.

For now, airlines are making other plans. Last week, Norwegian Air Shuttle, which was due to receive its first 787s in April and June, said it will lease two Airbus A340s along with flight crews if it doesn't get its 787s on time.