British Airways’ Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has been shelved and grounded at Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania for more than 70 days after reportedly sustaining significant damage in a collision with a ground service vehicle.
On August 28, the flight, registered as G-ZBJF, arrived from London Heathrow; it has been unable to resume normal service since the incident.
Why the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has been stranded at an airport
At one of the plane’s cargo doors, a mobile baggage belt loader is believed to have struck the fuselage, reportedly penetrating it and leaving a hole in the exterior. Though the full impact of the damage hasn’t been confirmed yet, reports suggest the plane may also have had issues with its landing gear. About half of the Boeing 787’s primary structure is made of blended materials, including large sections of its fuselage and wings. This makes the repairs more complicated and time-consuming.
According to a report by Simple Flying, the plane may be moved to Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, where the maintenance team, FEAM Aero, could begin repairs. Another reported option is to send it to Boeing’s 787 facilities in Seattle for specialist repairs.
The incident is a major financial blow for British Airways, as the company is bearing repair costs and losses because the plane has been grounded instead of flying and boosting overall income, and airport parking costs are another expense. The Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates Pittsburgh International Airport, has estimated the aircraft’s parking cost at approximately $175,000.
British Airways still has not provided a timeline for when the Dreamliner will be back in flying condition and serving passengers. That said, share your thoughts about the story above in the comment section below, and also stay connected to Travel to Recovery for more such travel-related news and updates in the near future.
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