China Southern Airlines cleared to take Dreamliner
It is the first mainland carrier to operate the B787 after delays caused by battery problems
China Southern Airlines will be the first mainland carrier to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after the mainland aviation regulator gave the aircraft approval.
The Guangzhou-based carrier will take delivery of up to eight B787-8s this year, with the first expected by early next month.
The much-delayed delivery was due to incidents stemming from the over-heating of the aircraft's lithium battery. All 50 787s delivered worldwide were pulled out from operations and the aircraft's production suspended.
"We will deploy the plane on the Beijing-Guangzhou route for a soft launch before expanding to other domestic destinations," said an official from China Southern who declined to be named.