Airlines

Boeing warns new defect on 787 Dreamliners will slow deliveries

The latest setback for the widebody plane, Boeing warned on Tuesday that it would have to slow down the delivery of the 787 Dreamliner after finding a new production defect that will cause it to inspect all 90 of the aircraft in its stock.

Although the recently discovered production snag does not endanger flight safety, it comes after a month-long 787 delivery halt that was overcome in March and causes Boeing to face yet another delay as it attempts to repair the aircraft before they can be delivered to customers.

According to the company, the issue is with a fitting for the horizontal stabilizer of the 787 that was put in by a Boeing production facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. A plane can maintain longitudinal balance while flying as a result to the horizontal stabilizer, which is situated near the base of the aircraft’s tail.

Boeing Statement on 737 MAX Software Enhancement(Opens in a new browser tab)

The issue is the most recent in a string of manufacturing faults with Boeing aircraft that have halted or at least significantly slowed several aircraft deliveries, just as airlines demand for new aircraft to take advantage of the travel boom.

Earlier this year, due to a separate issue with a fuselage component on some 787s, Boeing temporarily halted delivery of the aircraft. According to Boeing, the most recent problem has no immediate impact on its forecast for Dreamliner deliveries for the entire year. Boeing predicted that it would deliver 70 to 80 of the aircraft this year.

How does it work ? MCAS Boeing 737 Max System.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The US aircraft manufacturer has just recently recovered from minor structural flaws that prevented Dreamliner shipments in 2021 and 2022, as well as early this year’s suspension of 787 deliveries. In order to fulfill Calhoun’s objective of producing $10 billion in cash by 2025 or 2026, Boeing needs to expand production of the Dreamliner to a 10-jet monthly pace by the middle of the decade.

Source:

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.