Taking no chances, Japan Airlines cancels another Dreamliner flight
Just a day after finally launching its 787 Dreamliner service, Japan Airlines yesterday stopped a scheduled flight after engineers found a faulty pressure sensor in one of its modified battery containers.
The new 787 widebody plane had been grounded by the FAA since January after problems with its lithium-ion batteries.
Although the faulty sensor did not pose a serious safety risk, JAL decided to replace the 787 with a 767 for the Tokyo-Beijing flight.
The airline released a statement saying two small holes on the battery container, designed to prevent overheating, were mistakenly sealed by Boeing engineers when the battery system was repaired.
Japan has been the biggest market for the new Boeing Dreamliner, whose fuel-efficient wide-body planes are largely made of composite plastics.
ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines have 27 Dreamliners, which they plan to fly to US destinations.
Meanwhile, Boeing already has begun work on a new version of the Dreamliner, the 787-9, with a longer fuselage, a higher fuel capacity, and a higher maximum take-off weight.
The 787-9 will carry 40 more passengers and fly 300 nautical miles farther while using 20% less fuel than similarly-sized airplanes, Boeing says.
For passengers, it is designed to offer higher humidity, cleaner air, and a smoother ride.
The first delivery to launch customer Air New Zealand is set for early 2014.
Boeing has orders for 355 of the planes from 20 customers around the world, accounting for 40% of all 787 orders.
Cheryl
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026