Battery fires delay Hainan Airlines' Beijing-New York Dreamliner flights

NEW routes planned by Hainan Airlines, China's fourth-largest carrier, says the international grounding of the flammable Boeing 787 Dreamliners has delayed plans services from Beijing to New York, reports Reuters.

US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and plane maker Boeing and other public authorities in Japan have grounded Dreamliners after a series of lithium ion battery fires broke out during flights.

"Frankly, it's a little disappointing the aircraft has been delayed," said Chen Feng, chairman of HNA Group, the airline's parent company, which also owned Hong Kong Airlines.

Mr Chen made the remarks in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that he was looking to join an airline alliance, but was unable to join one as all three major groupings - Star, Oneworld and Skyteam - already have a Chinese partner.