Japan Airlines has postponed its new Tokyo to Helsinki route due to the grounding of Boeing’s Dreamliner.
The nonstop service between Narita airport and Helsinki was due to start on February 25 but JAL has decided to postpone it.
The airline said it was ‘in view of necessary adjustments to its international routes utilizing the Boeing 787 aircraft since January 16’.
JAL said the rescheduled launch of the four-times a week service would be announced later and customers with confirmed reservations will be told about alternatives.
The Dreamliner 787 plane is still grounded while under investigation in the US and Japan.
The Sunday Times reported that all airlines could now face tough restrictions on lithium batteries on board flights following the investigations.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirmed that the situation was being monitored.
It said: "The IATA Dangerous Goods Board and the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Dangerous Goods Panel are keeping a close watch on the current National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, and if there is anything that comes out of it that has a bearing on the transport of lithium batteries, then these groups will take appropriate action."
The Dreamliner 787 will not be returning to service as quickly as hoped after Japanese and US air safety inspectors found no fault with the battery, which was initially believed to be the problem, see previous story.
Safety investigations started after a 787 operated by All Nippon Airways was forced to make an emergency landing when its main battery overheated and a battery in a Japan Airlines 787 caught fire while parked at Boston’s Logan International airport.
