No plan to review orders for new jet

Thai Airways International has reaffirmed its plan to purchase the Boeing 787, more commonly known as the Dreamliner, despite a series of operational problems faced by carriers currently using the new aircraft.

Chokchai Panyayong, THAI's senior executive vice president for strategy and business development, yesterday said that although the national airline had no Dreamliners in service at the moment, it did have eight on order for delivery between 2014 and 2017.

Four of the aircraft, all eight of which are to be used for regional flights in Asia, are scheduled for delivery next year.

The Dreamliner has been facing a number of operational problems, most recently with Japan's All Nippon Airways needing to make an emergency landing because of a battery problem.

ANA said a cockpit message showed battery problems and a burning smell had been detected in the cockpit and the cabin, forcing a 787 on a domestic flight to land at Takamatsu airport in western Japan.

The 787 Dreamliner is Boeing's newest and most technologically advanced jet, and the company is counting heavily on its success.

Since its launch, which came after delays of more than three years, the plane has been plagued by a series of problems, including a battery fire and fuel leaks.

ANA and Japan Airlines are major customers for the jet, and among the first to fly it.

"Our technicians are now working hand in hand with the Boeing company in solving problems that have occurred in the aircraft and we have primary information about the Dreamliner," Chokchai said.

"We believe Boeing will be able to solve all problems before the delivery of the aircraft to Thai Airways is made. The company has no plan to review any purchase order for the Boeing 787 aircraft at this moment."

On another matter, Smud Poom-On, THAI's director for emergency/crisis response, said that while heavy snow in Japan had caused many flights to be cancelled, operations on THAI's Bangkok-Narita and Bangkok-Haneda routes had been continuing as normal.

Most of the snow-affected flights were domestic daytime operations, which was when the bulk of the snow had fallen, he added.