The Air Line Pilots' Association of Japan called Monday for Boeing Co. to disclose more information about how the U.S. company has dealt with battery problems in its 787 Dreamliners, even though some airlines have resumed operating the planes.
The association said it has no access to detailed information on the U.S. jetmaker's remedies for the 787's battery system and the progress of the ongoing investigation into the root-cause of the problems, noting the safety of the advanced aircraft should be examined more carefully.
"Frankly, we do not have enough information that enables us to declare whether we are for or against the resumption" of the 787, Hiroaki Tateno, president of the association and a captain at Japan Airlines Co., said at a press conference in Tokyo.
The association also expressed concern that Boeing may be playing down the importance of the batteries by emphasizing that they play a limited role and are not flight-critical.
Boeing says its comprehensive solutions for the battery problems have eliminated all risks of fire, and would prevent fire from spreading to other battery cells even if one occurred.
But the association is "concerned about whether there would really be no adverse impact on other systems of the airplane if the battery goes wrong," said Koichi Takamoto, technical adviser of the group.
Given Boeing's claims about the minor role of the batteries, the association called on the company to conduct test flights without the aircraft's lithium-ion batteries to prove its solutions are effective.
Regulators worldwide grounded 787s after one operated by All Nippon Airways Co. made an emergency landing on Jan. 16 at an airport in western Japan due to a battery defect.
On April 26, U.S. and Japanese aviation authorities gave the green light for 787s to fly again following Boeing's modifications to improve the aircraft's battery system. ANA operated its first commercial flight using the jet on Sunday, while Ethiopian Airlines and United Airlines have also resumed Dreamliner operations.
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