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Are plastic planes set to rule the sky? Boeing President Alan Mulally was recently quoted as saying that all Boeing-737 planes would be made from non-metal materials or composites, particularly plastic, because they would not corrode.

He, however, made it clear that the technology needed to build such 737s would not be ready until the middle of next decade.

Meanwhile, the US aircraft manufacturer's new 787 Dreamliner, which is expected to make its maiden flight next year, is already being built using carbon fibre-reinforced plastic composites.

The use of composites, which were corrosion resistant, also reduced building and maintenance costs. Light composite materials also enhanced range and fuel efficiency.

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