Japan's ANA says 787 engine repairs could take 3 years

ANA Holdings said Tuesday it could take as long as 3 years to replace faulty turbine blades in the Rolls-Royce engines powering its Boeing 787s. ANA said last week that under certain flight conditions some of its 50 Dreamliners have been affected by vibrations caused by cracked turbine blades in the rear sections of the engines, forcing 3 flights since February to return to airports in Japan. The carrier has halted 18 flights this month resulting in US$800,000 in lost revenue as it works on the jets and has said it may cancel other flights in coming months. "It is an issue but it's a manageable issue," Rolls-Royce CE Warren East said Tuesday. "With the more intensive use, the natural wear and tear on the engines happens sooner," he said. All of ANA's Dreamliners are powered by Rolls-Royce engines. <br/>