787 Dreamliner arrives in Japan ahead of test flights with ANA
04 Jul 2011
The much-delayed, and for that reason the much-awaited, Boeing 787 Dreamliner landed in Japan yesterday to start a weeklong dress rehearsal with All Nippon Airways Co which will allow the airline staff to familiarise itself with the aircraft. All Nippon Airways (ANA) is the launch customer for the aircraft.
Boeing Co's 787 Dreamliner is the highest-selling aircraft in aviation history prior to launch. The world's first composite-plastic jet, the 787 has been delayed more than three years.
The Dreamliner, which arrived at Tokyo's Haneda airport, will undergo test flights on ANA's domestic routes, with pilots and technical staff from both companies working alongside each other. ANA crew will ensure the plane can be managed into and out of airport parking slots and they will exercise the use of boarding bridges and fuel hoses and other servicing operations, according to airline spokespersons.
The 787 may enter commercial service as early as next month.
ANA will deploy the twin-engine Dreamliner on international routes for China, Europe and the US.
Boeing and ANA will commence joint tests starting 5 July, with flights between Tokyo's Haneda and Osaka's Itami airports, as well as Okayama, Hiroshima and Osaka's Kansai.
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