JAL may seek damages for Boeing Dreamliner delay

TOKYO, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Japan Airlines Corp (JAL) (9205.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) may seek compensation from Boeing (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) for a delay in the delivery of the 787 Dreamliner, the head of Asia's largest airline by revenue said on Tuesday.

"Of course, we will consider such an action," JAL CEO Haruka Nishimatsu told Reuters on the sidelines of a media gathering, when asked if JAL would request Boeing compensate it for the delay of the Dreamliner.

Nishimatsu said JAL had not yet determined the extent of the damage to its business but it would have to seek compensation as it would be accountable to its own shareholders for any negative impact.

The Dreamliner, the fastest-selling plane in history, suffered its second setback when Boeing said last week it was pushing back the programme a further three months, putting the aircraft about nine months behind schedule.

JAL has ordered 35 of the planes.

JAL rival All Nippon Airways (9202.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which is set to receive the first 787, said last week it had no plans to seek compensation.

Other airliners have said they would ask for compensation for the delay. (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka; Editing by David Holmes)