Thomson puts back-up plans in place for Dreamliner replacement
Thomson Airways has confirmed it is putting contingency plans in place in case it cannot go ahead with its Dreamliner launch in May.
As the investigations continue into battery problems with the next generaiton aircraft, Thomson said Boeing has not not yet given it a new delivery date for its first 787 Dreamliner.
In a statement on Friday it said it was looking at back-up plans, including using alternative aircraft for its long-haul flights to Mexico and Florida if delivery is delayed beyond the end of March.
"We appreciate that there are many customers who are looking forward to flying on the Dreamliner but unfortunately these circumstances are out of our control," it said.
"Once we have finalised our contingency plans we will contact customers whose flights may be affected."
Thomson was due to become the first UK airline to start flying the 787 and had set the date of May 1.
But this has been looking increasingly unlikely as investigations continue into two incidents connected to the aircraft’s battery (see previous Dreamliner stories here and here).
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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