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| Hanian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
Boeing has 1,387 orders for the Boeing 787 with 716 delivered and 671 unfiled as of the end of July. Irish aircraft lessors AerCap, Avolon, GECAS have taken delivery of the aircraft and Norwegian Air International had eight Boeing 787-8 on Irish register from year 2015 to 2017.
In 2012 Etihad Airways announced Dublin as one of the first routes for operation for Boeing 787-9 in 2014 however the type service never materialized to date as route is served by Airbus A330-200 twice daily from January 2019 a daily Boeing 777-300ER service.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer recently said "The Dreamliner is fast becoming our flagship long-haul aircraft and as more join the fleet, we will continue to look at upgrading existing routes offering ground-breaking cabin interiors that have set a benchmark for high service levels in the region and across the world.”
The Boeing 787 has progressively opened up city pair opportunities from Dublin exploiting its economics and range. Ethiopian Airlines launched new routes to Addis Abba and Los Angeles in 2015.
In Summer 16 Thomson Airways launched a new seasonal services to Cancun and Montego Bay. In June 2017 Qatar Airways launched a daily service to Doha and American Airlines to Chicago O'Hare (Replacing Boeing 767-300). On 5 May 2017 Dublin saw its first corporate Boeing 787 with Chinese carrier DeerJet, the aircraft was registered 2-DEER.
In June Hanian Airlines commenced Beijing – Dublin – Edinburgh – Beijing and Beijing – Edinburgh – Dublin – Beijing services using Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft further enhancing global connectivity from Dublin.
Lufthansa Technik Shannon announced a €3 million investment to add Boeing 787 capability. The aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider will modify existing aircraft hangars to accommodate the Dreamliner becoming the first Irish MRO facility to handle the aircraft.
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 19 August 2018 All Rights Reserved
