Regional Round-Up
China approves B787 flights
June 1st 2013
China’s regulators have announced that Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines (CSA) will be the first Mainland airline to operate the Dreamliner B787, with the first flight expected later this month. Read More » CSA, China’s largest carrier by passenger numbers, could accept up to eight of the airliners in the next 12 months.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said the Boeing airliner, which was grounded for more than four months this year following battery overheating problems, has been cleared for domestic services for all Chinese airlines that have ordered the B787.
It is expected the aircraft type will receive approval to operate overseas services by year end. Hainan Airlines, which is a subsidiary of the HNA Group, has ordered 10 B787s and expects to receive the first airliner this month. It hopes to fly the Dreamliner on its planned Beijing-Chicago service.
