Air India Received its Third Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Air India on 9 October 2012 got its third Boeing Dreamliner from the new North Charleston Facility of the American manufacturer. Air India is the first airline in the world to take delivery of a Dreamliner from the US Based manufacturer.

In September 2012, Air India took delivery of its first of the 27 Dreamliners on order. The aircraft is equipped with 18 business class seats and 238 in the economy class.

Air India has currently deployed the Dreamliners on domestic sector to familiarise the pilots with aircraft landings and takeoff procedures. The Boeing 787 fleets of airplane with unmatched efficiency and technology is going to help Air India turnaround plan.

The first commercial service of Dreamliner started from 19 September 2012 between New Delhi and Chennai, thereafter followed by New Delhi-Bangalore sector.

Dreamliner is the first commercial jet made primarily of advanced composite materials. It offers amazing passenger comfort features which includes cleaner air, higher humidity, bigger windows that dim electronically and more overhead storage space.
The aircraft's fuel efficiency is 20 per cent better than other airplanes in its class, which also results in 20 per cent lower carbon emissions.

About Boeing 787 Dreamliner:-

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Its variants seat 210 to 290 passengers. It is the world's first major airliner to use composite materials for most of its construction. Boeing, 787 consumes 20% less fuel than the similarly-sized 767. Its distinguishing features include a four-panel windshield, noise-reducing chevrons on its engine nacelles, and a smoother nose contour. The 787 shares a common type rating with the larger 777 twinjet, allowing qualified pilots to operate both models, due to related design features.

Air India directed by DGCA to Ground All Six Boeing 787 Dreamliners on Safety Concerns

Air India on 17 January 2013 grounded the fleet of all six Boeing 787 dreamliners after US federal agency asked its airlines to ground the Boeing 787 due to safety hazard.

The move for grounding the fleet came with decision made by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) who received a communication from the US watchdog Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pointing to problems with the battery on the aircraft.

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) conducted an investigation of an in-flight Boeing 787 battery incident in Japan on 16 January 2013 which posed a question on a potential battery fire risk in the 787. In response to that Japan had grounded 24 Dreamliner owned by two of its airlines - ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Japan Airlines.

As per Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), now it is made mandatory that before further flight, of Boeing 787 aircraft, it must go for a demonstration to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to show that the batteries are safe.

The failure of battery resulted in release of flammable electrolytes, heat damage, and smoke on two Model 787 airplanes. The root cause of these failures is currently under investigation.The prevailing condition if not rectified could result in damage to critical systems and structures, and the potential for fire in the electrical compartment.

The FAA lately announced a comprehensive review of the 787's critical systems with the possibility of further action pending new data and information.

In addition to the continuing review of the aircraft's design, manufacture and assembly, the agency also will validate that 787 batteries and the battery system on the aircraft are in compliance with the special condition the agency issued as part of the aircrafts certification.

In September 2012, Air India had also experienced a fault in its Dreamliner's liquid cooling system and electrical power system, which had led to the grounding of all three of these planes at that time. After the faults were rectified, these aircraft have been flying regularly on select domestic and international routes.