10 Feb 2013

Dreamliner delay warning issued

9:09 am on 10 February 2013

Boeing has warned customers awaiting delivery of new 787 Dreamliners to expect delays, as an investigation continues into the safety of the aircraft.

Deliveries in the near future are either delayed or are at risk of postponement while investigations are held into the safety of the 787s batteries.

The BBC reports all 787s were grounded last month after a battery on one plane caught fire, and a malfunction forced another to make an emergency landing.

On Thursday, the US Federal Aviation Administration said it would allow Boeing to carry out test flights of 787 Dreamliner planes to test battery performance.

So far 50 Dreamliners have been delivered to airlines by Boeing, but all are grounded while safety checks are carried out.

A further 473 have been ordered by at least 44 different airlines.