GLASGOW holidaymakers have had their dream flights put on hold after aircraft manufacturer Boeing grounded its entire fleet of Dreamliner planes following major safety fears.

The company had already taken half the fleet out of service but last night it announced all 50 of the flagship 787 airliners had been grounded.

US and European aviation agencies said the planes should remain grounded while safety checks are carried out on their lithium ion batteries.

There are concerns that the batteries could leak, corroding vital equipment and potentially causing fires.

Boeing said it stood by the integrity of the Dreamliner, which has been in service since October 2011.

It is the first grounding of planes on this scale since 1979, when the McDonnell-Douglas DC-10 fleet was grounded.

Earlier yesterday Scots holidaymakers, due to fly from Glasgow Airport on Dreamliner flights in May, were assured the services would go ahead.

Hundreds have booked seats on the new jet and holiday chiefs insisted the controversial plane will begin flights in and out of Glasgow Airport in the summer.

Holiday giant Thomson claimed the problems would not affect passengers in Scotland, saying the Dreamliner would come into service in Glasgow from early summer.

The wide-bodied twin- engine jet is being used by Thomson and sister firm First Choice to fly passengers from to Florida, in the US, and Cancun in Mexico.

Glasgow will be the first Scottish airport to handle flights by Boeing's flagship aircraft. Thomson has ordered eight of the world's most fuel-efficient jets and four are scheduled to come into service in the UK by the end of May.

Dreamliners will be based at airports in Glasgow, London Gatwick, Manchester and East Midlands. The new jet, with up to 250 passengers, is due to make its maiden flight from Glasgow to Florida's Orlando Sanford Airport on May 5.

The latest safety scare follows a series of incidents since the Dreamliner came into service last October, which included an electrical fire, brake problems, a cracked cockpit window and fuel leaks.

But a Thomson Airways spokesman said: "Boeing has reassured us they will do every- thing to assist investigations and will be taking every step to assure passengers and Thomson of the 787's safety.

"We will await the outcome of the FAA Investigation into the 787 Dreamliner. At this time we are still working to our original delivery dates."