Tue, Jul 05, 2011
First Dreamliner Touched Down In Japan Sunday. Plane To Start
Flying Actual Routes
The 4th of July is just another day on the calendar in Japan,
which allowed Boeing and ANA to begin an important validation of
their readiness for the 787 Dreamliner's entry into service on
Monday.
This week, ANA pilots, coordinating
with Boeing, will fly a 787 on actual airline routes in Japan using
airline dispatch and flight rules. ANA's mechanics and ground crews
also will gain experience with the airplane in a simulated
operational environment.
"ANA is proud to be the first airline in the world that will
operate the 787," said Shinichiro Ito, ANA president and CEO. "The
Dreamliner is an integral part of our plans to become Asia's number
one airline and will allow us to bring new standards of comfort and
service to our passengers. Validating all of our training and
preparations for the Dreamliner is critical to help ensure a
smoother entry into service for our passengers and crews later this
year."
The 787 debuted in Asia Sunday with a landing at Haneda Airport in
Tokyo at 0621 (local time). More than a thousand media, ANA
employees and aviation enthusiasts gathered to witness the 787's
arrival and welcome ANA pilots Captains Masayuki Ishii and Masami
Tsukamoto and Boeing pilots Captains Mike Carriker, Heather Ross
and Ted Grady. Sporting ANA's livery, the 787 flight test airplane
ZA002 flew non-stop to Tokyo from Seattle.
"Boeing is honored to celebrate the
historic first landing of the 787 Dreamliner in Japan, home of our
launch customer ANA and many of our 787 partners," said Jim
Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "ANA is
a tremendous airline, and the 787 is a better airplane because of
their input and involvement in the program."
Throughout the week-long validation, the 787 will experience
simulated day-to-day airline operations. Maintenance, servicing and
flight crew operations will be conducted at five airports in Tokyo,
Osaka (Itami and Kansai), Okayama and Hiroshima. ANA's first
scheduled service with the 787 will be either the Haneda-Okayama or
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.
Boeing plans to deliver the first 787 to ANA in the August to
September timeframe.
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