FAA Approves Boeing Plan to Fix 787`s Batteries
Baku, March 13 (AZERTAC). Boeing made progress toward solving the battery problems that have forced its marquee 787 Dreamliner fleet to be grounded across the globe. On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the company`s testing and certification plan that will include new design of its lithium ion battery system, enhanced production, and a new enclosure and venting system to prevent fires. If Boeing manages to complete each step in the process, it will get its 787 up and flying again.
Boeing stockholders have another reason to cheer. After shares hit fresh 52-week highs and the company reportedly received a $15 billion order for its 737s from Ryanair, the FAA paved the way for a fix to battery problems on the 787 that could get the new planes up in the air again.
The US Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday gave approval to Boeing to put into action a three layered plan to fix problems with its controversial lithium ion batteries.
The plan includes improved design features to prevent faults and isolate those that occur, including new thermal and electrical insulation materials. Enhanced production and operation of the batteries, including stringent screening of battery cells prior to battery assembly, and a new enclosure and venting system that should avoid overheating and the possibility of fire are the other components.
Shares in the company have been incredibly resilient despite the problems that have hit Boeing since the release of its new 787 Dreamliner. The whole fleet has been grounded since mid-January after a battery fire on a Japan Airlines 787 in Logan Airport spooked U.S. regulators. Several Dreamliners experienced battery problems, prompting global watchdogs to ground the plane. Only a few days ago, the National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report that revealed they hadn`t found the root cause of the Logan Airport fire.
Regardless, shares in Boeing hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday, closing the day up 1.5% to $84.16. Despite its relative resilience in the face of adversity, shares in Boeing have been nowhere near the airlines, which have been on a tear in 2013. JetBlue, Southwest, and United Continental are all up between 15% and 30% this year.
Boeing will now set its plan into motion, remaking the batteries and testing them on recently approved test flights, the company and the FAA announced on Tuesday. “We have a great deal of confidence in our solution set and the process for certifying it,” said Ray Conner, chief executive of Boeing`s commercial airplanes unit. “Before 787s return to commercial service, our customers and their passengers want assurance that the improvements being introduced will make this great airplane even better. That`s what this test program will do.”
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