Thousands Of Passengers Affected By Discovery

The Japanese air travel industry took a hit Monday after Japan Air System cancelled 120 domestic flights affecting 7,000 passengers after discovering cracks in engine parts from at least seven McDonnell Douglas aircraft.

This discovery came after Asia's top carrier -- Japan Airlines System (JAS)-- reported engine troubles on January 6 and 7 with two of their MD-80 and MD-87 jets (MD-80 file photo above).

When Pratt and Whitney was asked to check the engine parts for deficiencies, engineers discovered several cracks in engine compressors from the two aircraft. JAS followed with its own investigation on engine parts used in six other McDonnell Douglas jets and found the same type of cracks in those aircraft.

The discovery of the cracks in at least seven planes prompted JAS to investigate the other 19 MD jets in its fleet, including 14 MD-81s and five MD-87s, resulting in the cancellation of 120 domestic flights on Monday alone.

Not being able to offer to much assistance to the stranded passengers, the airline explained it was still examining other McDonnell Douglas jets in the feet.

"At this moment, we cannot tell when the inspection of the 19 aircraft will end," said JAS spokesman Hirohide Ishikawa.

FMI: www.jas.com.hk/eng/company.htm