The United States civil aviation regulator (FAA) has given the green light to the resumption of flights of certain United Airlines Boeing 777 models, grounded since a flight incident in early 2021, the regulator and the company said on Tuesday. .
United Airlines chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella told a conference that the FAA issued the final necessary documents late Monday evening.
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The agency confirmed in a message to AFP that it had
“approved the service bulletins which will be used to make the necessary and required changes in the certificates of airworthiness of Boeing 777-200 equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines”.
United Airlines is the only American company to have this 777 model in its fleet. It has 52 in total, which represents about 10% of its flight capacity.
The first aircraft could fly again
"as early as next week"
and
"are officially on the flight schedule from May 26,"
said Mr. Nocella.
The group will return the planes to service gradually,
"up to around 30 to 35 aircraft by July"
, he added.
This model was grounded shortly after an incident on a flight from Denver, Colorado to Honolulu, Hawaii on February 20.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft had seen its right reactor catch fire and had lost its fairing, forcing the pilot to turn around and land in an emergency, without the incident causing any injuries.
A few hours later, Boeing had recommended that this model not be flown until further notice.
The FAA subsequently made several proposals to remedy the mechanical deficiencies found in three separate incidents.
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The return of the 777-200s to the sky comes at a time when the company is facing strong demand: the group raised its forecast for revenue per available seat for the second quarter on Monday evening.
The company's stock was up more than 7% in mid-session on Wall Street.