Qatar Airways, the largest customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the Middle East, has grounded its entire fleet of five 787s until the safety of the plane is confirmed
The airline said in a statement it was following instructions from the US federal aviation administration and Qatar's civil aviation authority.
The FAA grounded Boeing's newest commercial airliner on Wednesday, saying airlines would have to demonstrate that lithium-ion batteries were safe before the planes could resume flying. Other national regulators have followed suit.
Qatar Airways, witnessing a civil aviation boom in the Gulf, ordered for up to 60 of the aircraft, Reuters reported.
"In light of recent events surrounding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner worldwide, we are actively working with Boeing and the regulators to restore full customer confidence in the 787," Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar al-Baker said in the statement.
The statement did not say whether Qatar Airways might demand compensation from Boeing.
Last month, however, after one of the airline's 787s had a problem with a power generator, Baker said he would seek compensation.
Recently Baker said he had no plans at the moment to cancel any plane orders with Boeing, but added, "When we have to start grounding planes, then it becomes an issue and then they have to get their cheque book out."
