Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways are not affected by the temporary grounding of some Boeing 777 (B777) aircraft.
The suspension, which follows an engine failure on a United Airlines flight departing from Denver airport, only applies to B777s powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines until the FAA “identifies the appropriate inspection protocol”.
Emirates told Business Traveller the airline was not impacted by the grounding because its B777s were powered by GE engines.
An Etihad spokesperson also confirmed the carrier was not affected by the decision.
Boeing has recommended suspending operations of the 69 in-service and 59 in-storage 777s powered by the Pratt & Whitney engines.
Only a handful of carriers operate this version of the B777, including United, Korean Air, Japan Airlines and ANA.
In a statement, Boeing said: “Boeing supports the decision yesterday by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, and the FAA’s action today to suspend operations of 777 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines. We are working with these regulators as they take actions while these planes are on the ground and further inspections are conducted by Pratt & Whitney.”
