All 787s Now Grounded, Await Inspection Protocol

Airlines around the world have grounded their Boeing 787s following the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s Wednesday emergency airworthiness directive (AD) that requires United Airlines to stop flying its six Dreamliners until it demonstrates the safety of the airplanes’ batteries. Hours later, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) adopted the AD, forcing Europe’s only 787 operator—Poland’s LOT—to ground its two airplanes. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways had already grounded their fleets a day earlier, after the crew of an ANA 787 made an emergency landing in western Japan in response to a battery malfunction warning and the smell of smoke in the cabin.

On January 17 Qatar Airways officially responded to the AD, grounding all five of its airplanes, as did Chile’s LAN, which removed from service another three.

For its part, Boeing continued to “stand by” the overall integrity of the 787 and expressed confidence in its safety.

“The safety of passengers and crewmembers who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority,” said Boeing chairman, president and CEO Jim McNerney in a statement.

“Boeing is committed to supporting the FAA and finding answers as quickly as possible. The company is working around the clock with its customers and the various regulatory and investigative authorities. We will make available the entire resources of the Boeing Company to assist.”