787 flight test aircraft ZA002. Photo: Courtesy, Boeing.

Boeing and 787 launch customer All Nippon Airways said Thursday they will conduct service readiness trials in Japan in July ahead of first delivery in August or September.

The second Dreamliner flight test aircraft, ZA002, is expected to operate a series of flights during the week of July 4 between Tokyo Haneda and Osaka Itami, Osaka Kansai, Okayama and Hiroshima. The trials will mark the 787's first appearance in Japan.

ANA President and CEP Shinichiro Ito said in a statement that "giving our employees the opportunity to gain experience with the airplane will help ensure a smoother entry into service later this year."

ANA's maintenance crews also will practice maintenance and servicing of the 787 during the validation program. "This will include typical ground servicing activities, fit checks of airplane jacks and maintenance hangar stands, towing and refueling the airplane, and other routine maintenance operations," the companies said. Boeing conducted similar service ready validations with the 777 and 737NG.

Boeing VP and GM-787 Program Scott Fancher said earlier this week that the Dreamliner flight test program is "in the endgame" with the "high risks of flight testing ... behind us". ANA pilots last month entered a Boeing Training & Flight Services 787 training program. The carrier has 55 787s on order.