Delivery of new Boeing aircraft was stopped in May 2024, for the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to conduct a review of batteries used in the 25-hour cockpit voice recorder.聽

said that a source familiar with the matter told the news organization that delivery of widebody aircraft would restart in the next few days.听听

Clearance to resume deliveries of 737 MAX aircraft is expected in a matter of weeks, according to .听听

The development will no doubt be warmly received by Boeing as the hold-up was adding to its financial misfortunes following a reduction in aircraft production at its factories. 

According to ch-aviation.com, as of January 2024, there were 206 737 MAX jets waiting to be delivered to Chinese carriers. 

Carriers awaiting delivery of 737 MAXs includes Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines and Hainan Airlines.  

Earlier this month there were reports that Airbus was holding discussions with a variety of Chinese airlines regarding the potential sale of more than 100 A330neo widebody aircraft. 

It was speculated that while China was halting imports from Boeing, Airbus may be seizing the opportunity to present more attractive terms to the Chinese airlines to purchase A330neos.   

NTSB castigates Boeing for sharing non-public info to media on door plug probe

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-27

However, it appears that a 鈥渄isruptive passenger鈥� on the same United aircraft may have been the initial reason for the flight crew精东影业 decision to divert the aircraft. 

The United Airlines flight departed Brussels Airport (BRU) on June 5, 2024, around 11:30 local time and was due to land at New York Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) around eight hours later.聽

Dublin Airport confirmed that 鈥渁ppropriate protocols鈥� were put in place to meet the aircraft with the police, National Ambulance Service and a specialist infectious diseases team all involved.  

In a statement United Airlines said that medical personnel in Ireland 鈥渋nvestigated and cleared the flight to continue with the removal of one disruptive passenger, one ill passenger and one other person travelling with the ill passenger鈥�. 

The (HSE) in Ireland confirmed that it undertook an investigation at Dublin Airport but could not comment on individual精东影业 health.听听

鈥淗SE National Ambulance Service and HSE Public Health undertook appropriate investigations at Dublin Airport following protocols in partnership with Dublin Airport, Garda S铆och谩na and Airport Police,鈥� HSE said in a statement to the Metro.  

HSE added: 鈥淧ublic Health and National Ambulance Service managed this incident according to national public health guidelines.鈥� 

The flight continued to New York after a short delay.听听

Virgin Australia revamps inflight menu with biggest culinary shakeup in years聽

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-06-04

The flight, QR017, landed safely at Dublin Airport at approximately 1:00 PM. Upon arrival, emergency services met the aircraft. Dublin Airport released a statement noting that 12 people on board sustained injuries due to the turbulence.

“Qatar Airways flight QR017 from Doha landed safely as scheduled at Dublin Airport shortly before 13.00 on Sunday,” the statement read. “Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency services, including Airport Police and our Fire and Rescue department, due to 6 passengers and 6 crew [12 total] on board reporting injuries after the aircraft experienced turbulence while airborne over Turkey.”

This incident follows another recent turbulence-related event on May 21, 2024, where a 73-year-old British passenger died during a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore due to extreme turbulence.

One dead, multiple injured after severe turbulence on Singapore Airlines flight

• Aviation Safety

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-05-21

On May 22, 2024, Kenya Airways confirmed that it had received the necessary engine parts to enable one of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to return to service.听听

鈥淭his grounding was caused by constraint in delivery of engine components. Today, we are pleased to announce that we have received the necessary engine components for one of the affected aircraft,鈥� a spokesperson for Kenya Airways said.  

The airline predicted the aircraft could resume passenger flights within the next 24 hours.  

News of the airline精东影业 problems were made public on May 19, 2024, when the carrier admitted it was 鈥渆xperiencing some disruptions in our flight schedules, which are leading to abnormally high levels of delays鈥�. 

Kenya Airways also said that the situation had been compounded by the unavailability of flight crews for some regional flights.   

The airline had expected that the aircraft issues would be resolved by May 21, 2024, but that timeline appears to have slipped in the last couple of days.  

On May 23, 2025, the airline thanked its staff who 鈥渨orked tirelessly鈥� over the past few days to readjust its network and schedules.   

Kenya Airways also apologized to customers for the disruptions but said that circumstances were 鈥渂eyond our control鈥�.   

According to , Kenya Airways has nine 787-8 jets in its fleet of 36 aircraft.聽

Ethiopian Airlines opens new Chinese-built domestic terminal at Addis Ababa聽

• Airlines
• Airport

byLuke Peters

2024-05-20

Boeing engineer Salehpour has alleged that processes were carried out during the production of the 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets which put the safety of both aircraft types at risk.    

In the interview on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt on April 18, 2024, Salehpour claimed that flaws in the 787 fuselage could cause the widebody jet to fall apart and 鈥渄rop to the ground鈥�.聽

When questioned by the NBC host if he would currently let his own family travel on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Salehpour replied: 鈥淩ight now, I would not鈥�. 

Salehpour told NBC that production of the 787 should be halted while the alleged problems are addressed. 

In response to the interview, Boeing said: 鈥淭hese claims about the structural integrity of the 787 are inaccurate. The issues raised have been subject to rigorous engineering examination under FAA oversight.鈥� 

Salehpour has alleged that small gaps at the fuselage joins on 787 aircraft could 鈥渃ause a catastrophic failure,鈥� due to excessive wear. 

In 2020, Dreamliner deliveries were put on hold to fix issues with small holes. After almost two years, the FAA eventually approved a solution to the problem.  

However, Salehpour claimed the 鈥済aps in the 787 were not being properly measured,鈥� and due to the mismeasurements, shims 鈥� pieces of material used to fill small gaps 鈥� were not always inserted.   

Salehpour also claimed that, in efforts to speed up 787 production, he witnessed 鈥渆xcessive stress on major airplane joints, and embedded drilling debris between key joints on more than 1,000 planes鈥�.   

On April 16, 2024, Boeing defended the 787 Dreamliner and 777 following the whistleblower精东影业 accusations.  

Steve Chisholm, Boeing精东影业 Chief Engineer for mechanical and structural engineering, explained the stress tests for the 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which included testing the plane for 165,000 cycles 鈥� each cycle equivalent of a flight.   

‘There were zero findings of fatigue in the composites’

鈥淲e did 165,000 cycles. There were zero findings of fatigue in the composites,鈥� Chrisholm said during the media briefing.   

The company also claimed to have inspected 689 of the more than 1,100 787s in service worldwide and found no evidence of fatigue. 

Salehpour will testify at the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing on April 17, 2024, along with other witnesses.  

US Senator Richard Blumenthal, who chairs the committee, said: 鈥淪alehpour will talk about the fastening of parts of the 787 fuselage in a way that is potentially unsafe because those parts come apart with airline fatigue. That is the wear and tear of repeated use.鈥�  

Blumenthal added: 鈥淗e will also talk about retaliation against him when he complained to Boeing. As deeply troubling as the allegations are about the failure to put safety and quality above profits, the threat and acts of retaliation are equally troubling,鈥� 

Boeing has previously declared that 鈥渞etaliation is strictly prohibited鈥� at the company. 

Boeing defends 787 Dreamliner from whistleblower精东影业 claims over assembly safety聽

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-04-16

The Boeing engineer, Sam Salehpour, alleges that processes were carried out during the production of 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets which put the longevity and safety of both aircraft types at risk.  

Salehpour wrote to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on January 19, 2024, just two weeks after an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 suffered a door plug blowout shortly after takeoff, setting out his profound misgivings.  

The FAA has confirmed that it is investigating Salehpour精东影业 allegations and stated that it 鈥渢horoughly investigates all safety reports鈥�. 

Boeing 787 Dreamliner production 

Details of Salehpour精东影业 misgivings were first reported by the upon interviewing the engineer. He claimed that problems arose during production of the Dreamliner after changes were made to how large sections of the fuselage were fitted together.  

The issue centers on tiny gaps located at the joins of the 787 fuselage sections, which arrived at Boeing from different manufacturers.  

These gaps were discovered by Boeing in 2020, leading to deliveries of the Dreamliner being delayed for almost two years.听听

A solution to the problem was then found by the aircraft manufacturer and the FAA approved resumed deliveries of the 787.  

However, on April 9, 2024, the reported Salehpour as saying that, from 2012, excessive force had been used to push fuselage sections together before gaps were measured, so as 鈥渢o make it appear like the gaps didn鈥檛 exist鈥�.  

Salehpour said the practice continued even after Dreamliner deliveries were put on hold in 2020. 

鈥淚 repeatedly produced reports for my supervisors and management based on Boeing精东影业 own data demonstrating that the gaps in the 787 were not being properly measured,鈥� Salehpour said. 

Due to the mismeasurements, shims – pieces of material used to fill small gaps – were not always inserted. 

On April 9, 2024,  Salehpour said that this could 鈥渃ause a catastrophic failure鈥� due to excessive wear from the gaps not being filled.  

Salehpour also claimed that, in efforts to speed up 787 production, he witnessed “excessive stress on major airplane joints, and embedded drilling debris between key joints on more than 1,000 planes”.   

In a statement, Boeing said Salehpour精东影业 allegations “are inaccurate and do not represent the comprehensive work Boeing has done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft”. 

In addition, a spokesperson for Boeing told the New York Times that testing of the Dreamliner had 鈥渄etermined that this is not an immediate safety of flight issue鈥�. 

鈥淥ur engineers are completing complex analysis to determine if there may be a long-term fatigue concern for the fleet in any area of the airplane. This would not become an issue for the in-service fleet for many years to come, if ever, and we are not rushing the team so that we can ensure that analysis is comprehensive,鈥� the spokesperson said. 

Salehpour claimed that he had raised his concerns at Boeing but had been 鈥渋gnored and ultimately transferred out of the 787 program to the 777 program鈥�. 

Boeing 777 production 

While working for Boeing on the 777, Salehpour allegedly saw more concerning issues with production, with sheer force being adopted to fix alignment problems.  

鈥淚 viewed severe misalignments when the plane came together, which was remedied by using [an] unmeasured and unlimited amount of force to fit the misaligned holes and parts together. I literally saw people jumping on the pieces of the airplane to get them to align,鈥� Salehpour said. 

While Boeing has responded to accusations regarding 787 Dreamliner production, it has made no comment so far on the 777 issues the engineer claims to have seen.  

Salehpour has suggested that the problems involved over 400 777 and 1,000 787 aircraft. 

As well as raising his concerns, the engineer said that he was barred from speaking about issues at Boeing and was even threatened with violence. 

鈥淩etaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing,鈥� the manufacturer responded. 

FAA interview whistleblower

Salehpour was interviewed about his claims regarding the 787 production on April 5, 2024.  

When the New York Times asked the FAA Head Mike Whittaker about Salehpour精东影业 claims, he restated his feelings towards Boeing after leading the response to the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout 

鈥淭his won鈥檛 be back to business as usual for Boeing. They must commit to real and profound improvements. Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing精东影业 leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way,鈥� Whitaker said in a statement.  

Senate subcommittee hearing 

Following reports of the whistleblower精东影业 account, the chairman of the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Richard Blumenthal, announced that the allegations would be investigated.  

Salehpour is set to appear at a hearing next week to testify. Testimony from Boeing精东影业 CEO David Calhoun has also been requested.  

鈥淭he Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has recently obtained information from a whistleblower at the Boeing Company alleging alarming and dangerous manufacturing deficiencies that 鈥榓re creating potentially catastrophic safety risks.鈥� We write to request Boeing精东影业 immediate cooperation with the Subcommittee精东影业 review of these troubling allegations and Boeing精东影业 culture of safety in light of recent incidents,鈥� Blumenthal and Ranking Member Ron Johnson wrote in a letter to Calhoun.  

Blumenthal and Johnson sent a separate letter to the FAA requesting information regarding the whistleblower精东影业 disclosures and Boeing aircraft safety. 

Senator questions why pilots were unaware of 737-9 cockpit door blowout feature

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-04-05

The airline said the expansion aims to enhance the frequency and capacity of flights to Luanda International Airport (LAD) in Angola. The addition of Kinshasa will increase the number of destinations in Africa served by Qatar Airways to 29. 

The new route, which will begin in June 2024, will be served by the airline精东影业 fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, equipped with 22 business class seats and 232 economy class seats. 

The flights, including onward connections to Luanda, will operate on the following schedules:

Flight QRQ1491 Depart Doha  02:45 local time / arrive at Kinshasa 08:10 local time 

                           Depart Kinshasa 09:40 local time/  arrive at Luanda 10:55 local time 

聽 聽 聽 Depart Luanda 聽 12:25 local time /arrive at Doha 22:50 local time

Flight QRQ1489 Depart Doha 09:20 local time / arrive at Luanda 15:40 local time

                            Depart Luanda 17:10 local time / arrive at Kinshasa 18:25 local time

聽聽 聽 聽 Depart Kinshasa 19:55 local time / arrive at Doha 05:45 local time

鈥淭he inclusion of Kinshasa in our network is the latest manifestation of our efforts to improve connectivity to Africa. Qatar Airways has showcased its commitment to the region by providing passengers in Africa with greater choice to explore different corners of the world through our network and our hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport,鈥� Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said in a statement.

Qatar Airways showcases world精东影业 first AI virtual human cabin crew at ITB Berlin

• Airlines
• This is interesting!

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-03-07

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered JA843J, was descending towards Tokyo-Narita International Airport (NRT) in Japan on April 1, 2024, when turbulence struck the aircraft, which had flown from Melbourne Airport (MEL) in Australia.听听

According to Japan’s Ministry of Transport, the incident occurred at around 15:30 local time when the 787-8 was flying at an altitude of 5,200 meters and 150 kilometers from NRT. 

The severe turbulence resulted in one cabin crew member receiving a fracture to their lower right thigh, whereas three others suffered sprains.  

At the time of the incident there were 146 passengers and 11 crew on board the aircraft. The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) is now investigating the incident.  

On March 29, 2024, a United Airlines Boeing 787 was forced to make an emergency landing at New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) due to severe turbulence. 

Seven passengers on board the flight were taken to hospital following the incident, but a further 15 were treated at the airport for injuries.  

‘United Airlines Flight 85 landed safely at New York Stewart International Airport around 6:45 p.m. local time on Friday, March 29, after the crew reported a passenger medical emergency,” the (FAA) said in a statement.聽

The agency added: 鈥淭he Boeing 787 departed from Tel Aviv and was en route to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The FAA will investigate. Please contact the airline for additional information.鈥澛�

Japan Airlines set to purchase 32 Airbus and 10 Boeing jets

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

2024-03-21

The aircraft involved in the incident, a Boeing 787-9 registered CC-BGG, had departed Sydney (SYD) at 11:44 on the morning of March 11, 2024, heading for Auckland (AKL) in New Zealand with 263 passengers. Flight LA800 was due to make a short technical stop in Auckland before continuing its flight to Santiago de Chile (SCL), its final destination. 

According to reports, the flight encountered a 鈥渟udden drop mid-air鈥� with about an hour left of its flight resulting in 50 passengers and crew sustaining injuries. The aircraft continued to Auckland where it made a safe landing two hours and 42 minutes later at 16:26 local time.鈥�疐ollowing the event, LATAM Airlines confirmed that flight LA800 had suffered a 鈥渢echnical event during the flight which caused a strong movement鈥�.鈥�� 

The aircraft is reported to have dropped abruptly and without warning before stabilizing. The unexpected and violent drop caused several passengers and crew on board to be thrown about the cabin, with several striking the ceiling panels.聽

Having recovered and analyzed data stored by the aircraft精东影业 flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), aviation safety officials from New Zealand精东影业 Transport Accident Investigation Commission have now revealed that the sudden movement of a flight deck seat is the key focus of the investigation. Based on the limited available information in the public domain, it is understood that the seat movement was “pilot induced, not intentionally induced”鈥痑ccording to an unnamed safety official in New Zealand.  

“The seat movement caused the nose to pitch down the angle of the aircraft,鈥� said the source.  

Another individual close to the investigation has told reporters that 鈥渢he possibility of an electrical short circuit鈥� was also under consideration.  

Flight deck seats have their position controlled by electric motors allowing pilots to be close to the control while allowing users to find and fix a comfortable flying position. Should a seat suddenly slide forward, the occupant could fall against the control column, causing a dive.    

One passenger on board told reporters in Auckland that it felt like a 鈥渕iracle鈥� when the pilot gained control of the plane after feeling it 鈥渇ree-fall鈥� for what she thought was ten seconds. Another passenger said that following the incident, one of the pilots came to the passenger cabin 鈥渋n shock鈥� after the incident and recounted how the cockpit gauges 鈥渏ust blanked out鈥� and how he 鈥渓ost his ability to fly the plane鈥�.聽

It is expected that Boeing will release a memo to all Boeing 787 operators regarding the incident. The fact that a cockpit seat mechanism is under suspicion could result in a global fleet-wide inspection of all seats on Boeing 787 flight decks, although such a move is yet to be confirmed by the US manufacturer. Boeing has so far refused to comment publicly on the matter.  

In a statement, LATAM said it “continues to work in coordination with the authorities to support the investigation” and said it was not appropriate to comment on speculation that has circulated.鈥澛�

LATAM Airlines 787 suffers inflight emergency with up to 50 passengers injured聽聽聽

• Airlines

byLuke Peters

2024-03-11

The New Zealand flag carrier apologized to its customers who were due to travel between the two cities from March 31 to October 25, 2024, and will now face cancellations.

In a statement issued by Air New Zealand on March 12, 2024, the carrier blamed 鈥渙ngoing challenges with the availability of serviceable鈥� Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.

Air New Zealand uses Trent 1000 engine on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft that operate on the route between Aukland and Chicago.

Explaining the decision, Air New Zealand said that after 1000 engine cycles (takeoffs and landings) Trent 1000 engines normally require heavy maintenance, in which they are taken off the aircraft and sent to the offshore manufacturer for inspection.

However, during regular inspections, Air New Zealand engineers identified that the engines required maintenance after 750-850 cycles.

The airline said that had been unable to provide it with spare or replacement engines to deliver the level of service needed, leading to a reduction in the amount of flying Air New Zealand can deliver via its 787 fleet.

Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said that that airline will now have up to 鈥渢hree aircraft unavailable for an extended period鈥�.

“We know this will be disappointing for customers travelling to and from Chicago during this period, especially to those travelling over the upcoming April holiday break. It’s not a decision we’ve made lightly and we’re sorry to make this change so close to the time some customers plan to fly,鈥� Geraghty said.

She added: 鈥淲e made the tough decision to temporarily pause the Chicago route while maintaining our schedule of up to 35 flights each week to six ports across the US and Canada, so there are still plenty of options to get to Chicago, the US, and beyond.”

In November 2023, Air New Zealand announced that it would pause its Auckland to Seoul service from April 1, 2024, due to availability issues with the Trent 1000 engine.

The airline has also been hit by Pratt & Whitney engine problems affecting its A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

Air New Zealand added that the challenges with its Trent 1000 engines 鈥渄o not present a safety risk to customers flying on our 787 fleet鈥�.

Air New Zealand plans to take 13 aircraft in the next five years

• Aircraft
• Airlines
• Aviation Economics & Finance

byRytis Beresnevicius

2023-02-23