Delay for Dreamliner's Australian debut
Qatar Airways has reportedly ditched plans to introduce Boeing 787 aircraft on its Perth route in February, as Dreamliners around the world were grounded following a spate of malfunctions.
Although the Doha-based airline was unable to comment, website Airline Route revealed Qatar will continue to use Boeing 777-200LR aircraft on the route beyond February 1, the date it was meant to start Boeing 787 operations.
The news comes in the wake of decisions by Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways to ground their entire Dreamliner fleets as ANA reported the sixth incident concerning a 787 in ten days. The carrier was forced to make an emergency landing due to a battery malfunction.
Shortly after, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive that requires US 787 operators to temporarily cease operations and recommended other regulator agencies do the same.
Boeing insisted it is "working around the clock" to assist customers and various authorities.
"The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority," a statement said.
"We are confident the 787 is safe and we stand behind its overall integrity. We will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to assure our customers and the travelling public of the 787s safety and to return the airplanes to service."
Meanwhile, Qantas underlined its commitment to the aircraft despite the setbacks.
A statement from the airline said: "Boeing has kept the Qantas Group fully informed about the performance of the 787 since it entered commercial service in 2011. We are confident that the current issues will be resolved before Jetstar receives its first aircraft as scheduled in the second half of this year.'
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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