Dreamliner arrives in Japan for All Nippon tests

Jul 04, 2011 00:00AM GMT

The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner has arrived in Japan prior to entering service with All Nippon Airways by September.

A flight test aircraft flew from Boeing’s Seattle base to Tokyo to simulate day-to-day operations within Japan before the first 787 enters into commercial service.

The week-long validation process will see the 787 undergo standard maintenance, servicing and flight crew operations 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. Boeing said it plans to deliver the first of 55 Dreamliners on order by ANA in the August to September timeframe.

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”.

President and chief executive Shinichiro Ito said: “ANA is proud to be the first airline in the world that will operate the 787.

“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 new generation long-haul twin-jet has been delayed by almost three years due to technical problems. The delays prompted Korean Air, due to be one of the first airlines to take delivery of the jet, to postpone its order earlier this year.