Norwegian Air Shuttle unhappy with 787-8 "Dreamliner"

Norwegian Air Shuttle 787-8 (35304/102) EI-LNA "Sonja Henie" arrives at Oslo-Gardermoen (OSL/ENGM) on July 11, 2013.

(Photo by James Mepsted)

Scandinavian low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle has confirmed reports it has summoned Boeing management representatives to Oslo later this week to address reliability issues that have dogged the carrier’s two new Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The airline said a number of teething problems had forced it to ground the new aircraft, the first of which was delivered in late June, several times over recent weeks, causing unacceptable disruption and delay for passengers.

A Norwegian spokesperson confirmed these problems included brakes, hydraulic pump and power issues. Further problems last weekend—understood to have involved oxygen supply to the cockpit and a valve problem—have prompted the carrier to call the meeting later this week.

Norwegian SVP-corporate communications Anne-Sissel Skånvik said: “We will tell Boeing that this situation is far from good enough. We have not had the reliability that we had expected from brand new planes, so something must happen, fast. Our expectation is that their strict quality control systems rule out ‘snag’ and technical issues before delivery to the customer.”

In a statement Boeing responded: “Boeing is working with Norwegian to address  issues. We are disappointed to have issues so early in our 787 operations. We regret the disruption caused to Norwegian and its passengers.

We are committed to improving the 787’s in-service dispatch reliability and are applying the resources required to achieve the results that we and our customers expect.

We have a significant focus on component reliability improvements and are working airline-by-airline to ensure we have the right support in place to help each airline through the entry-into-service process.”

Boeing also said its 787 fleet is averaging about 175 revenue flights per day, has flown more than 12,000 revenue flights since return to service in April, and more than 30,000 revenue flights since the 787 entered service.

Norwegian has ordered eight 787 Dreamliners, the third of which is due to be delivered in 2013, with a further four in 2014 and one in 2015.

(Anne Paylor - ATWOnline News)