Qatar Airways has become the latest Boeing 787 operator to ground its Dreamliner fleet in the light of a US FAA emergency airworthiness directive.

The Gulf carrier, which has five 787-8s in service, issued the grounding order on 17 January.

Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways, says: "I previously stated that Qatar Airways will only stop operating our Dreamliners if we receive such an instruction from regulators.

"Qatar Airways will resume 787 operations when we are clear that the aircraft meets the full requirements of the airworthiness directive and our standards which assure the safety of our passengers and crew at all times. So we are not flying the aircraft until such a time this is achieved."

Ethiopian Airlines remains the only 787 operator yet to confirm the status of its aircraft.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news