Offers Customers An Apology For 'Inconvenience' Caused By Airplane's Grounding

The president of Japan Airlines (JAL) has posted a letter on the company's website concerning the progress being made towards the resumption of revenue flights by the carrier's Dreamliners.

"Owing to battery failures aboard the Boeing 787, Japan Airlines (JAL) also suspended operations of its 787 fleet on January 16, 2013. We apologize sincerely to our customers and other persons affected for the inconvenience and concerns caused by the suspension," wrote JAL president Yoshiharu Ueki.

"U.S. and Japanese civil aviation authorities have recently approved a modification instruction letter that would prevent recurrence of this and all similar battery problems, and allow the 787 to resume operations," he said. "JAL has been fully cooperating with U.S. and Japanese government investigative agencies, and participating closely with activities centering on the aircraft manufacturer Boeing, joined by U.S. and Japanese civil aviation authorities, and third party organizations to preclude a similar occurrence in the future and provide customers with the highest aviation safety standards."

Ueki said that since the approved modification instruction for the battery system contains measures to eliminate the potential for problems attributable to all probable causes identified in the investigations, JAL has determined that implementation of these measures would ensure safety of the aircraft and persons onboard.

In addition to modifying the battery system, the carrier plans to take steps to prevent potential malfunctions such as fuel leaks, and check and inspect all aircraft systems, he said. "We will carry out maintenance and a thorough examination of our 787 aircraft in order to further enhance its reliability and resume operations. Our flight crewmembers will perform familiarity flights and other training so as to be fully prepared to operate the upgraded 787. As announced today, we will progressively deploy the 787 to JAL's 787 routes from June 1, 2013."

The French news service AFP reports that JAL conducted its first modified Dreamliner test flight Thursday. The airplane departed from Haneda airport in Tokyo early in the morning and flew for about two hours over northern Japan with no apparent issues. A second flight was planned later in the day.

(JAL Dreamliner image from file)

FMI: www.jal.com