Boeing Warns Of GE Engine Icing Risk On 747-8s, Dreamliners : Reports

(RTTNews) - Boeing Co. (BA) issued a warning for airlines operating its 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner models powered by General Electric Co.'s (GE) engines, according to the reports.

Boeing reportedly informed its customers with some GE-powered engines to avoid flying within 50 nautical miles of thunderstorms to reduce chances of ice crystals forming in the engines and reducing thrust. The 787 had problems with its battery earlier this year that led to the plane being grounded for more than three months.

There have been six cases since April of planes with GEnx engines temporarily losing thrust in high-altitude icing conditions, the reports quoted GE as saying.

Meanwhile, the reports said that Japan Airlines (JALSQ.PK, JALFQ.PK) will pull the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from two international routes after the Boeing alerted on potential ice crystals forming problems in engines produced by GE.

According to the Bloomberg, Japan Airlines will replace 787s on flights between Tokyo and Delhi with 777s starting November 25, and will switch to 767s on its Tokyo-Singapore route the same day.

ANA Holdings Inc. (ALNPY.PK, ALNPF.PK, ANA.L), the world's biggest operator of 787s, uses British engine maker Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (RR.L, RYCEY) engines on its Dreamliners and has not received any notification to avoid certain weather conditions, the Bloomberg reported citing ANA spokeswoman.