Qatar Airways has announced the resumption of Boeing 787 services from Heathrow after operating its first Dreamliner flight since January yesterday.
The Doha-based carrier operated a 787 on a regular service between Doha and Dubai yesterday. Qatar will resume daily services on its London-Doha route on May 15.
The world’s Dreamliner fleet was grounded in mid-January until late last month following a battery fire.
The first commercial 787 flight since US regulators lifted the ban, pending work on the aircraft’s batteries, was operated by Ethiopian Airlines last weekend.
Qatar Airways launched the first Dreamliner flights from the UK in December, with daily services between Heathrow and Doha.
The carrier’s chief executive Akbar Al Baker was the first passenger to board the airline’s reinstated 787 yesterday, alongside Boeing’s Middle East president Jeffrey Johnson and deputy fleet chief David Silver.
Al Baker said: “I’m thrilled our Dreamliner fleet is back in the skies. I always said I would be the first to fly on Qatar Airways’ 787 once it returned to service.
“After a setback that affected not only our own worldwide operations but also those of many carriers worldwide, we look forward now to deploying the Dreamliner on other key routes over the coming weeks.”
Al Baker added: “We have worked closely with Boeing throughout the grounding to work towards getting our fleet up and running again.
“Safety has always been the number one priority and I have full confidence in the safety and security of this aircraft.”