Korean Air, Asiana Airlines grounded Boeing 777 after engine accident

South Korea’s two largest airlines-Korean Air Lines Co. and Asiana Airlines (Asian Airlines)-said on Monday that they grounded all Boeing 777 airliners after the recent engine failure in the United States.

According to foreign media reports, a B777-200 aircraft suffered an engine failure after flying to Honolulu on Saturday (local time), and it was found that the fairing and other parts of the aircraft were scattered on the ground in Denver.

According to reports, the United Airlines flight landed safely and did not cause any injuries on the aircraft or on the ground.

Boeing recommended to its customers the 777 jets that are matched with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines.

Korean Air currently operates 6 of the 1

6 B777 aircraft with the same type of engine on routes to Japan and Southeast Asia, while Asiana Airlines operates 7 of the 9 B777 aircraft on short and mid-haul routes to meet Business travel needs.

A Korean Air spokesperson said: “We are negotiating with Boeing and the Ministry of Transport on the suspension of the aircraft. The authorities have not recommended stopping the operation of the aircraft.”

Korean Air’s budget carrier Jin Air Co. operates four B777 aircraft on domestic routes. The carrier said it is awaiting advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the beginning of last year, as countries have tightened entry restrictions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, local airlines have suspended most of their flights on international routes.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began an investigation into the accident. The report said that the NTSB will focus on the cause of engine failure. (Yonhap News Agency)