JAL and ANA to Resume 787-8 Flights June 1
JAL Boeing 767 Takes to the Skies
Chicago – May 11, 2013 (FlyersPulse.com): Japan Airlines, also known as JAL, officially announced the resumption Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flights starting on June 1, 2013. JAL’s direct competitor, All Nippon Airways, or ANA, will also resume Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights on the same day.
Joining the club to re-launch flights on June 1st is Chicago based United Airlines, which will initially fly domestic 787 routes from their hub at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) prior to resuming international services.
Nearly four months ago, the Boeing 787 was grounded after a series of problems with the main lithium-ion battery system. Boeing and the Kyoto based Japanese battery maker, GS Yuasa, developed an improved lithium-ion battery for the 787 aircraft. The improved battery was certified by both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Japanese Civil Aviation Authorities.
Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines have already resumed 787 Dreamliner flights while ANA, JAL, and United take a more conservative approach with in-house testing prior to the June 1st re-launch.
JAL Flights to Operate Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Beginning on June 1, 2013, JAL will re-introduce the Boeing 787 on the following flights:
Boston (BOS) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT) – JL007 and JL008 – Daily
San Diego (SAN) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT) – JL065 and JL066 – Daily
Tokyo-Narita (NRT) – Singapore (SIN) – JL719/712, JL711/710 – Fourteen Weekly
Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – Singapore (SIN) – JL035/036 – 7/weekly
Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – Beijing (PEK) – JL021/022 – 7/weekly
On July 1, 2013, Tokyo-Narita (NRT) to Helsinki (HEL) flights JL413 and JL414 will begin 787 operations 7 times weekly. Shortly thereafter, on July 12, the Tokyo-Narita (NRT) to Delhi (DEL) route with flights JL749 and JL740 will also fly the 787.
Next up are two significant markets on September 1, 2013. Tokyo-Haneda (HND) to San Francisco International (SFO) will become a 787 operation. Flights JL002 and JL001 will connect Tokyo’s close-in Haneda Airport with San Francisco on a daily basis. Tokyo-Narita (NRT) to Moscow Domodedovo Intl (DME) will also convert to the 787 — flights JL441 and JL442 will operate the 787 into Domodedovo Airport three times a week.
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The land down under is scheduled to be the next 787 with flights between Tokyo-Narita (NRT) and Sydney (SYD) on December 1, 2013. Flights JL771 and JL772 will bring the 787 into Sydney seven times weekly.
The last flights, as of this writing, which JAL will convert to the 787 Dreamliner is JL707 and JL718. These two flights operate between Tokyo-Narita (NRT) and Bangkok (BKK) four times weekly.
JAL Boeing 787 towed to Hangar at Tokyo-Narita on January 16, 2013, the day of the 787 grounding
JAL Addresses Boeing 787 Safety
Like All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines carried out a series of tests and flights to validate the 787 battery modification. Several flights have been completed, but the carrier intends to carry-out additional test flights.
President and Representative Director of JAL, Yoshiharu Ueki, said, “As the approved modification instruction for the battery system contains measures to eliminate the potential for problems attributable to all probable causes identified in the investigations, we have also determined that implementation of these measures would ensure safety of the aircraft and persons onboard.”
Addressing not only the battery system, but a series of fuel leaks JAL encountered, Ueki added, “In addition to modifying the battery system, we will take steps to prevent potential malfunctions such as fuel leaks, and check and inspect all aircraft systems. We will carry out maintenance and a thorough examination of our 787 aircraft in order to further enhance its reliability and resume operations. Our flight crewmembers will perform familiarity flights and other training so as to be fully prepared to operate the upgraded 787. As announced today, we will progressively deploy the 787 to JAL’s 787 routes from June 1, 2013.”
It should be noted, the root cause of the JAL battery incident, as well as the ANA incident in Japan, have yet to be identified and remain under investigation. However, both the U.S. FAA and Japanese Safety Authorities approved the battery modification and are confident in the safety of the Boeing 787.
The Boeing 787 is a revolutionary aircraft with state of the art electrical systems along with a carbon composite fuselage which, when combined with new, fuel-efficient engines, saves 20% in fuel consumption compared to the 767 and other similar sized aircraft. Passengers will enjoy a spacious cabin with large windows along with a pressurization system which will maintain a higher cabin pressure in-flight, along with humidity, providing passengers with a comfortable flight.
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