Customers scheduled to fly on All Nippon Airways’ B787 should be aware that they may face flight disruptions due to an engine problem that has forced the airline to ground the Dreamliner.
According to ANA, the compressor blades within the B787’s Rolls-Royce engine have shown corrosion after exposure to certain flying conditions.
The problem was first brought to light in February on a flight from Japan to Malaysia, then on another flight to Vietnam the following month, reports Fortune. Upon further investigation, ANA decided to cancel nine of its domestic B787 flights last Friday, with more cancellations likely to come.
While initial reports indicated that the problems would be resolved fairly soon, the Japanese airline has since told Reuters that it could take as long as three years to replace the faulty engine parts. The long-term ramifications of ANA’s B787 deployment schedule is still unknown.
In response, a Boeing spokesperson told Fortune: “We are aware of the situation and are working with Rolls-Royce and ANA to resolve any issues impacting the airplanes in service.”
Rolls-Royce also delivered a similar statement but did not specify whether the problem had been found on B787s operated by other airlines.
The Star Alliance member is the biggest operator of the B787 with some 49 aircraft. Of the 445 Dreamliners in operation around the world, 168 feature Rolls-Royce engines. However, only ANA has decided to ground the aircraft. Fellow Japanese carrier JAL also operates a fleet of 30 B787s, but its Dreamliners are equipped with General Electric engines.
For more information, visit ana.co.jp
Clement Huang
