Dreamliner delays expected: Boeing
UK tour operator Thomson Airways said it was arranging to use other planes to serve Florida and Mexico if its first 787 is delayed beyond March.
Norwegian Air Shuttle said the handover of an initial 787 in April may slide and that a second due in June may also be affected.
The Dreamliner fleet has been sidelined since January 16 following a lithium-ion battery fire on a Japan Airlines plane in Boston and an emergency landing by an All Nippon Airways jet in Japan.
US regulators said Boeing can conduct test flights to help determine the cause, as evidence mounts that the battery may have to be redesigned.
"We have informed our customers expecting 787 deliveries in the near-term that those aircraft either have been or are at risk of being delayed," Boeing said.
Qantas, which is due to take delivery of its first Dreamliner in August, said it had not received any advice from the manufacturer that its 787s would be delayed further.
The airline's budget offshoot, Jetstar, is due to receive the group's first Dreamliners.
Oslo-based Norwegian Air said in a statement that Boeing had not given it new handover dates or provided written confirmation of the hold-ups.
"Although a potential delay is completely out of our control, we would like to apologise in advance if the Dreamliner isn't ready for Norwegian's first long-haul flights," the chief executive, Bjorn Kjos, said in a statement.
As one of Boeing's biggest European customers, Norwegian Air said it expected the manufacturer to do "everything in its power" to get the 787 ready for delivery as soon as possible.
To allow for new services to New York and Bangkok, the airline said it would obtain alternative aircraft through a leasing company for as long as three months.
British Airways, which is due to start receiving Dreamliners from May, said discussions with Boeing were continuing. The carrier has 30 jets on order and said it was committed to the model.
Boeing said it was staying in close communication with its customers as it works to develop a plan to resume the 787 pipeline, adding that it doesn't discuss specific deliveries.
European safety officials are due to visit Boeing next week to review progress of the probe.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Regulators grounded the 787 Dreamliner after reports of overheating lithium‑ion batteries — including a battery fire on a Japan Airlines plane in Boston and an emergency landing by an All Nippon Airways jet. Regulators are investigating the battery issue, and evidence suggests the battery may need to be redesigned.
Several carriers mentioned in the report could be affected, including Thomson Airways, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Qantas (and its budget offshoot Jetstar), and British Airways. Boeing also told customers expecting near‑term 787 deliveries that those aircraft have been or are at risk of being delayed.
Thomson Airways said it would arrange other planes for Florida and Mexico if its first 787 is delayed beyond March. Norwegian said an initial April handover and a second in June may slide and that it would lease alternative aircraft — for as long as three months — to allow planned new services to New York and Bangkok. Qantas said it had not been advised of further delays, and British Airways said discussions with Boeing were continuing.
US regulators have allowed Boeing to conduct test flights to help determine the cause of the battery incidents. European safety officials are scheduled to visit Boeing to review the progress of the probe. Boeing says it is working to develop a plan to resume the 787 pipeline and is staying in close communication with customers.
No. Boeing said it does not discuss specific deliveries. It has informed customers that some near‑term 787s have been or may be delayed but has not provided public specific handover dates.
The Dreamliner fleet has been sidelined since January 16, following the lithium‑ion battery fire on a Japan Airlines aircraft in Boston and an emergency landing by an All Nippon Airways jet in Japan.
Yes. The article notes that as evidence mounts about the battery issue, regulators and investigators have indicated the lithium‑ion battery may have to be redesigned.
Airlines planning new long‑haul services that rely on timely 787 deliveries may need contingency plans. For example, Norwegian said it would obtain leased aircraft for routes to New York and Bangkok for up to three months if Dreamliner handovers are delayed. Other carriers are in talks with Boeing or arranging alternative aircraft where needed.
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