LOT Polish Airlines to Keep 787 Dreamliners Grounded Through October
LOT Polish Airlines will keep their 787s grounded at least through October
LOT Polish Airlines will keep its two Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets grounded through October likely indicating the carrier does not think the planes will be allowed back in the air this year.
The FAA grounded the entire fleet of 787s on January 16th after a battery on a Japan Airlines 787 caught on fire and another one smoldered on an All Nippon Airways 787.
Although two recent flight tests were carried out by Boeing on the 787 with no problems, they have yet to determine the cause of the fires.
‘LOT president Sebastian Mikosz said he could not schedule his airline’s two 787s for summer season flights as long as the cause of the technical problems has not been determined and the U.S. aviation authorities’ order to keep them grounded remains in force.
The decision is “the result of uncertainlty,” said LOT spokesman Marek Klucinski said. “We want to carry our passangers in a forseeable and safe way.”
The decision is a blow to Poland’s national carrier, which is cutting costs and planning mass layoffs in an effort to survive. LOT is Europe’s first airline to have Dreamliners, which it had hoped would improve its financial results and position.
It also shows carriers are preparing for their 787s to be grounded for an extended period of time.’
In Europe, Norwegian Air Shuttle has been warned by Boeing of possible delays in the deliveries of its first 787 aircraft scheduled for April and June. Boeing also suspended delivery of three more 787s planned for LOT this year.
This is hardly the type of news Boeing wants to hear. They cannot figure out what has caused these fires and this indicates the 787 could be grounded through the rest of the year, if not longer. Not good. – Ed.