New Dreamliner breakdown for Norwegian

STOCKHOLM - A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by budget airline Norwegian Air Shuttle has been grounded in Florida since Saturday evening, the airline said on Monday.

"Unfortunately, we have experienced technical issues on our flight which was due to go from Fort Lauderdale to Stockholm Arlanda on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.," Norwegian spokesman Daniel Kirchhoff said.

The company said they were waiting for a part from Boeing which was due to arrive Monday.

It has been less than a month since the airline opened the Fort Lauderdale routes from Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen.

According to Norwegian, the 238 affected passengers would take a flight scheduled for Monday at 3:30 p.m. local time (2030 GMT).

"We are sorry about the delay and are doing everything we can to get the passengers home before Christmas," Kirchhoff said.

Since the Norwegian launched its long-haul business last summer, it has suffered delays and cancellations due to serious technical problems with its Dreamliners, from oxygen supply in cockpits to faulty hydraulic pumps and braking systems.

The incidents have affected the company's financial results, its share price and its image, but also the prestige of Boeing, which had invested heavily in resources and effort to bolster the new aircraft's market share.

Despite the problems, in a vote of confidence Norwegian announced on Wednesday that it had ordered two more Dreamliners.

This acquisition will bring Norwegian's Dreamliner fleet to 10 owned or leased aircraft.