Boeing Dreamliner safety raises concerns

Despite Boeing Dreamliners success in recent months, concerning sales and the presentation at the annual conference in Paris, the companys flagship is experiencing safety issues.

The fire on an Ethiopian Airlines’ Dreamliner at London’s Heathrow airport on Friday has triggered concerns about the safety of Boeing’s newest and most sophisticated passenger jet, even though no damage was done because the aircraft was empty. Analysts predict Boeing could face fresh questions about the Dreamliner’s new electrical system after an Ethiopian Airlines’ manager noted Heathrow’s authorities were alerted when one of its staff saw fire inside the aircraft. It is believed the sparks came out of the air conditioning system.

Zafar Khan, analyst at Société Générale, said for Financial Times that if the fire was caused by a problem with the Dreamliner’s electrical system, it raised “big questions” for Boeing and the regulators that certified the aircraft.

This is only one of many problems company had with electrical system on board as early this year regulators ordered its grounding after batteries overheated on two 787s. The problem seems to have become a pathological for the US aircraft maker. In 2010 fire broke out on a test aircraft while it was flying after a power panel failed.

However all airlines operating Beings Dreamliner pledged to carry with their job.

On Friday a Dreamliner aircraft was forced to return short after taking off to UK airport because of a technical problem which was easily solved according to the British airline.

Demand for the Dreamliner has remained solid despite the grounding earlier this year. The planes lightweight design — using composite material rather than aluminum, and wires instead of some of the hydraulics — allows it to be far more fuel-efficient than earlier models as fuel is the most expensive cost for most airlines.

On Friday Boeings shares slipped by 4.69% but being up 35.18% on a year to date basis.