Nine Japan Air System MD81/87's cleared for take off

Japan Air System (JAS), a member of the JAL Group, has completed inspections of Pratt and Whitney JT8D-217 series engines in the airline's domestic fleet of MD81 and MD87 aircraft following the detection of damage to stator vanes in the high-pressure compressors of this engine type.

Inspections started on January 19. As of 7:05 today (January 21), JAS had completed inspections of the 25 aircraft of the types in the fleet. Altogether damage was revealed on the engines of 18 aircraft. The inspection cleared seven aircraft and JAS has been able to install replacement engines on two aircraft, thus releasing nine aircraft for normal flight operations.

Today, Wednesday January 21, JAS will operate 76 flights using MD81/87 series aircraft. A total of 62 MD81/87 series aircraft flights will be cancelled, affecting about 4,100 passengers. 

JAS usually operates a daily total of 390 domestic flights, including 138 operated by MD81/87 series aircraft.