United delays launch of Tokyo-Denver route

United Airlines has announced that it has pushed back the launch of its new route between Tokyo and Denver.

Travel Insurance News - 25/02/2013

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United Airlines has announced that it has pushed back the launch of its new route between Tokyo and Denver.

United officials said on Thursday that the new long-haul link would be set back by at least one to one and a half months as a result of ongoing investigations into technical issues following the launch of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has been scrutinising the ultra-light aircraft following a rash of battery incidents that has plagued the model since its launch. United and local officials from the City of Denver have long-sought the establishment of a transpacific route from the airline’s Denver hub pending the release of the new long-range aircraft.

The Chicago-based airline has said that it aims to have all of its Dreamliners back in operations by April and that the delay is a minor setback in the carrier’s long-term strategy.

Denver’s mayor Michael Hancock said in a press conference that the city and United would remain committed to the route. He went on to add that the Denver's first nonstop link to Asia would create “boundless economic opportunities” for the region.

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