Dreamliner Flown On International, Domestic Japanese Routes To
Simulate Actual Operations
The day that passengers actually buckle their seat belts on a
Boeing Dreamliner keeps getting closer. Over the weekend, Boeing
and ANA completed the 787 service ready operational validation in
Japan. As part of the validation, ANA pilots, together with Boeing,
flew the Dreamliner on routes from Seattle to Tokyo and Tokyo to
four airports across Japan, including Osaka (Itami and Kansai),
Okayama and Hiroshima. Maintenance and ground crews from ANA also
gained experience with the airplane in the simulated operational
environment.
"Giving our team a chance to work with the airplane prior to
entry into service was very valuable," said Katsunori Shimazaki,
ANA corporate planning senior manager and the airline's leader of
the validation. "Our crews are excited to begin operating the first
787 revenue flights later this year."
Teams from ANA and Boeing validated more than a hundred
procedures, including towing the airplane, conducting fit checks of
ground support equipment, staging electronic flight bag data and
completing maintenance actions, among other activities. "The
successful conclusion of this effort further validates our plans
for entering the first all-new airplane of the 21st century into
service with our launch customer ANA," said Mike Fleming, 787
services and support vice president. "Our teams worked well
together and the airplane performed as we expected."
At each airport, hundreds of enthusiasts and reporters gathered
to witness the 787's arrival from Tokyo. Combined, several thousand
people celebrated the Dreamliner's presence in Japan. "It has been
incredible to see the enthusiasm for the 787 every place we've
gone," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of
the 787 program. "With its improvements in comfort and
environmental performance, passengers are clearly eager to
experience the 787 for themselves."
As part of the operational validation, the Dreamliner made its
India debut, landing at New Delhi International Airport at 1109
(IST), arriving from Tokyo. "Indian air carriers have recognized
the tremendous value the Boeing 787 offers airlines,” said
Dinesh Keskar, president Boeing India.
Air India is one of the early customers and has ordered 27 787s.
Jet Airways also has ordered 10 Dreamliners. “We look forward
to the airplane’s introduction into the fleets of our valued
customers in India,” said Keskar. He also mentioned that the
787's visit was a great day in the long history of Boeing's
partnership with India.
The airplane will depart for the Mumbai Airport in the evening of
July 15 and will fly back to Seattle on the morning of July 16.
ANA's first scheduled service with the 787 will be either the
Tokyo Haneda-Okayama or Tokyo Haneda-Hiroshima route when
deliveries begin later this year.
ANA has 55 Dreamliners on order. ANA will deploy the 787 across
its route network as an integral part of its strategy to strengthen
its position and support its growth and expansion plans.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.16.24)
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