Japan's ANA completes B737-700 phase-out

United defers return of PW4000-powered B777s to mid-2Q22

United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) has deferred the reactivation of its Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered B777s to at least mid-May 2022 as it continues to work with the regulators on safety concerns related to these powerplants, CNBC has reported.

The carrier said in an internal memo that the aircraft would not return to commercial operations before May 12, with an additional two weeks (until May 25) before they could start flying to Hawaii and on international routes.

"Due to the delay in the return of our PW B777 aircraft to active service, the May flight schedule is being reconfigured to account for the lack of these aircraft," the carrier informed its pilots.

United Airlines operates 52 PW4000-powered B777s, including nineteen B777-200s and thirty-three B777-200(ER)s.

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all PW4000-powered B777s immediately after a United aircraft suffered an uncontained engine failure on February 20, 2021. While JAL - Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo Haneda) subsequently retired all such aircraft in its fleet and ANA - All Nippon...

Japan lifts PW4000-powered B777 ban

The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) has lifted a country-wide ban on the operation of all B777 Family aircraft powered with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Family engines.

"The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has been working closely with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the government of the designing and manufacturing country, and the manufacturer to evaluate the recurrence prevention measures. Now that the technical evaluation has been completed and the validity of the recurrence prevention measures has been confirmed, we will permit the resumption of commercial operation of the aircraft on the condition that the recurrence prevention measures are implemented," the regulator said.

The MLIT has ordered the operators to increase non-invasive inspections of engine fan blades, strengthen inlet cowls, and perform necessary repairs to prevent fire from breaking out. The measures are in line with the recommendations of the FAA.

All PW4000-powered B777s were banned in Japan after an uncontained engine failure on a United Airlines' B777-200 in February 2021. On top of the overflights...

Japan’s NCA returns to Europe, via Alaska

ANA Holdings outlines initial AirJapan relaunch plans

ANA Holdings says its Air Japan (NQ, Tokyo Haneda) subsidiary will be reborn as a boutique carrier during the second half of its FY2023/4 cycle (i.e. between October 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024).

During a press conference in Tokyo on March 8, Air Japan President Hideki Mineguchi said the carrier would operate B787-8s out of Tokyo Narita on routes within Asia and Oceania that may not be profitable within the ANA - All Nippon Airways (NH, Tokyo Haneda) cost structure. He highlighted that Air Japan would not be a low-cost carrier akin to rival JAL Group's ZIPAIR (ZG, Tokyo Narita) and will instead be a hybrid between the LCC and full-service model.

“We are excited to begin unveiling AirJapan and the selectable service and comfortable cabin experience it will offer passengers,” he said. “By focusing on medium-haul international routes, the ANA Group will be better equipped to meet emerging trends for international travel at a competitive price. We are proud to be part of the team that...