These Airlines Face Biggest Impact If Boeing 787 Is Grounded
Following the fatal crash of Air India Flight 171, which killed 241 people onboard and 38 on the ground, questions are mounting about the safety of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, leaving only one survivor. As investigations continue, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faces pressure to consider grounding the aircraft model.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called it “way too premature” to ground the 787, urging restraint amid public speculation based on crash videos. However, experts believe a rare dual failure of the plane’s GEnx engines may be involved, despite no visible warning signs before the crash.
If the FAA grounds the 787 fleet, the impact would be substantial. Globally, nearly 1,120 Dreamliners are in operation. U.S. airlines would be among the hardest hit. United Airlines and American Airlines operate a combined 141 Boeing 787s, making them the most exposed among American carriers. Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) flies even more, but most of its fleet uses Rolls-Royce Trent engines, not the General Electric GEnx variant under scrutiny.
A potential grounding would depend on the outcome of the investigation and the nature of any identified faults. For reference, the Boeing 737 Max was grounded for 20 months after two deadly crashes, costing Boeing over $80 billion in penalties, legal settlements, and lost orders.
Until a final determination is made, the aviation world is watching closely, especially airlines with heavy reliance on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=Boeing+787, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/safety/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com