Boeing says it is working with embattled Japanese aircraft seat maker Koito Industries to ensure that testing of new seats is performed correctly.
"We are making sure tests are correctly done before allowing the seats to be shipped to Boeing's factories in Puget Sound. We will continue to oversee testing as long as it is necessary," says a Boeing spokeswoman.
Earlier this month, Koito admitted it falsified test results on as many as 150,000 seats used by 32 carriers.
Flightglobal's ACAS fleet database shows that about 43 operators currently fly aircraft with Koito seats, however.
Since late fall 2009, a team of a dozen Boeing staffers has been at the Koito plant, monitoring testing along with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.
"No safety of flight issues have been identified with Koito seats," notes the Boeing spokeswoman.
EASA last year withdrew production organisation approval for Koito, effectively prohibiting Airbus from delivering aircraft equipped with Koito seats.
The regulator is not ruling out the possibility of taking further action, in the form of an airworthiness directive, should tests of Koito seats in the world fleet - currently underway - prove that the seats do not meet standards.
Meanwhile, Boeing deliveries to Continental Airlines and other Koito customers have been delayed.
"As you know, our customers purchase the seats, so we are continuing to work closely with our customers on this issue," says the Boeing spokeswoman.
Some Airbus operators are also suffering fallout from the Koito scandal. Thai Airways International, for example, has been accepting its new Airbus A330 deliveries without seats.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
