Back to 787 update as the return to flight of the new Boeing wide body plane continues.
First up is the news that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has cleared the 787 for flight – following clearances from other countries who have been following guidance from the United State Federal Aviation Administration.
The CAAC will require Chinese operators of the 787 to fly them at first on Chinese domestic routes before allowing them on use on international routes (akin to how they entered the Airbus A380 into service).
Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Air China have ordered Boeing 787 aircraft, with Hainan expecting deliveries in June in time for a September launch a new route between Beijing and Chicago (although backup plans have been made to launch the service with a different aircraft if international certification isn’t granted in time). China Southern is also due to get a 787 (the first of ten), but no delivery date has been confirmed as yet. Subject to delivery – both of aircraft and quantity – and clearance, routes that are in China Southern’s radar include London and Vancouver.
Meanwhile, All Nippon Airlines will be conducting five “non-scheduled” flights between Sappaoro and Tokyo Haneda with the following schedule:
- 26th May 2013 – Two flights
- 27th May 2013 – One flight
- 30th May 2013 – One flight
- 31st May 2013 – One flight
The flights are being put on due “high customer anticipation”, with normal schedule flights returning on 1st June 2013.
ANA also confirms that modification work has been completed to its fleet of 17 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
It’s a step by step process, but the 787 continues to make up the lost ground that the aircraft has suffered during its 3 month grounding as more operators plan for future.