Boeing begins replacing batteries in grounded Dreamliners

22nd Apr 2013 10:25

Boeing has started replacing batteries on its grounded 787 Dreamliner planes following approval from US aircraft regulation.The company is one step closer to getting the planes flying again after batteries overheated, resulting in grounding the entire fleet of 50. The first commercial 787 could be ready to fly again in about week, according to Reuters. New reinforced lithium Ion batteries are being installed in five jets owned by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and two owned by Japan Airlines. They are the two biggest operators of the 787 Dreamliner.ANA will conduct between 100 and 200 test flights of the repaired aircraft in May and could start carrying passengers by June.Boeing will encase the new batteries in steel box, install new battery charges, and add a duct to vent gases directly outside the aircraft that could cause overheating.It comes after the US Federal Aviation Administration approved Boeing's battery modification plans. The grounding of the fleet is estimated to be costing Boeing $50m a week.