Boeing and ANA begin 787 service validation

Boeing and ANA on July 4 began an important validation of their readiness for the 787 Dreamliner's entry into service. Throughout the coming days, ANA pilots, together with Boeing, will fly a 787 on actual airline routes in Japan using airline despatch and flight rules, Boeing said in a statement today. ANA's mechanics and ground crews will also gain experience with the airplane in a simulated operational environment. The Japanese airline's first scheduled service with the 787 will be either the Haneda-Okayama or Haneda-Hiroshima route when deliveries begin later this year. ANA has 55 Dreamliners on order. ANA will deploy the 787 across its route network as an integral part of its strategy to strengthen its position and support its growth and expansion plans. Boeing plans to deliver the first 787 to ANA in the August to September timeframe. "ANA is proud to be the first airline in the world that will operate the 787. "The Dreamliner is an integral part of our plans to become Asia's number one airline and will allow us to bring new standards of comfort and service to our passengers. "Validating all of our training and preparations for the Dreamliner is critical to help ensure a smoother entry into service for our passengers and crews later this year," said Shinichiro Ito, ANA Pesident and Chief Executive Officer. The 787 debuted in Asia on July 3 with a landing at Haneda Airport in Tokyo at 6:21 a.m. (Tokyo time). More than a thousand media, ANA employees and aviation enthusiasts gathered to witness the 787's arrival and welcomed ANA pilots Captains Masayuki Ishii and Masami Tsukamoto and Boeing pilots Captains Mike Carriker, Heather Ross and Ted Grady. Sporting ANA's livery, the 787 flight test airplane ZA002 flew non-stop to Tokyo from Seattle. "Boeing is honoured to celebrate the historic first landing of the 787 Dreamliner in Japan, home of our launch customer ANA, and many of our 787 partners. "ANA is a tremendous airline and the 787 is a better airplane because of their input and involvement in the programme," said Jim Albaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Throughout the week-long validation, the 787 will experience simulated day-to-day airline operations. Maintenance, servicing and flight crew operations will be conducted at five airports in Tokyo, Osaka (Itami and Kansai), Okayama and Hiroshima.