United Airlines postpones Denver-Tokyo service due to Dreamliner review

DENVER — United Airlines is postponing its planned Denver-to-Tokyo service due to an ongoing safety review of the 787 Dreamliner airplane.

“We are postponing the launch of our new route from Denver to Tokyo-Narita while the FAA and NTSB continue their review of the 787 aircraft,” the company said in a statement. “We are currently revising the route initiation date to May 12, although that will depend on having a successful resolution ahead of that date.”

Nonstop flights from Denver International Airport to Tokyo had been slated to begin March 31.

“United Airlines, the City and County of Denver and all of our partners remain committed to the long-term success of this new nonstop flight,” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said in a statement. “Because of the boundless economic development opportunities it will create, the service carries great value to Denver, the metro area and all of Colorado. Together, we look forward to the doors it will open to the global marketplace.”

The 787 review began in January after several Dreamliners in the U.S. and Japan experienced electrical problems and were forced to make emergency landings. All 50 Dreamliners delivered to airlines to date remain grounded.