Japan Press Weekly

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2013 April 17 - 23 [POLITICS]

To resume Boeing 787 service without determining problems will provoke questions concerning safety

While the cause of problems remains unknown, the Japanese aviation administration plans to echo the U.S. Federation Aviation Administration (FAA)’s announcement to permit the resumption of operations of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, raising serious questions regarding safety issues.

U.S. major aircraft maker Boeing’s state-of-the-art airliner 787s have been grounded worldwide under the orders from each nation’s aviation authority since January following repeated emergency incidents caused by problems with the aircraft’s lithium-ion battery system.

The FAA will allow 787s equipped with modified batteries to fly again.

In accordance with the U.S. authority’s decision, Japan’s transport ministry will lift its order of suspension of Dreamliner flights.

Boeing, however, has yet to determine the clear cause of battery troubles or work out measures for preventing the recurrence of the troubles. If the 787’s battery system causes a problem over the sea, it could result in major catastrophe.

The Airline Pilots’ Association of Japan (ALPA Japan) stated, “787 flights without clarification of the battery troubles and without preventive measures should be suspended.” The ALPA Japan also pointed out the necessity to investigate the troubles by going back to phases in the design and production process.

The Japan Federation of Aviation Workers’ Union has called for a revision of the existing testing system which enables the Japanese aviation inspection authority to omit Japan’s process to give approval for civil aircraft imported from the United States with U.S. official testing certificate for passenger services.