Boeing has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for the green light to test fly the 787 Dreamliner, reports USA Today and other news sources.
The embattled manufacturer has not revealed details of these potential test flights but remains adamant that it will continue to use the lithium-ion batteries in the aircraft.
These batteries were the initial cause of the Dreamliner grounding in January after an ANA flight and a JAL flight suffered smoke and fire issues related to what the National Transportation Safety Board deemed "short-circuit" and "thermal runaway" events.
Investigators in Japan have subsequently said they found no immediate cause of the problems in the battery itself. The systems around the batteries are now being analyzed as the potential cause of the incidents.
Boeing has not given details of the potential test flights.
The FAA is currently considering the request.
