Ethiopian Airlines flight ET801 became the first commercial flight operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to take to the air since the grounding of fleet on the 16th January, operating between Addis Ababa and Nairobi – a 2 hour flight.
From there, there has been a spate of annoucements, Boeing PR trips, and confirmations when airlines intend to fly the 787 again.
Here’s a quick round up:
- All Nippon Airlines are still test flying their 787’s with an intention to have the full fleet mobile from 27th May
- LOT Polish Airlines will be restoring 787 services from 5th June
- Qatar Airways are to restore 787 services from the 2nd May
- United last updated their plans some time ago to recommence from 31st May
- Air India is planning to restart 787 services by end of May
- Japan Airlines are looking to recommence 787 services in June
- LAN Chille are still showing a resumption of service in mid-June
For the 787 fleet which has been grounded since the 16th January, this is good news as the planes will be returning to the air, carrying passengers and earning money.
Dates of re-entry into service are subject to clearance, re-certification and the fixes installed into the Boeing 787 fleet.
A total of 50 787’s were grounded during the 3 month grounding, with deliveries of the new aircraft halted until the fixes were approved.
The dates will be “fast moving” as airlines get a better idea of how the fixes are going. As usual, I’ll keep an eye on the new 787 deployments as they return to the skies.
What about Norwegian. ? We are supposed to be flying on May 30 on their new route NCY to Stockholm
Norwegian have hired in help – and will be operating Airbus A340-300’s in the short term. I still believe that Norwegian air still awaiting a delivery date for their 787 aircraft…