ID :
151387
Sat, 11/27/2010 - 21:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/151387
The shortlink copeid
Qantas puts A380 back into service
The first Qantas A380 passenger flight has taken off from Sydney Airport as the
airline returns its fleet of double deckers to the skies after recent engine
trouble.
Qantas's six A380s have been grounded for just over three weeks after a mid-air
engine explosion over the Indonesian island of Batam.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, who was on board Saturday's flight to London via
Singapore, said all safety checks had been completed.
"It's great that we can reintroduce the aircraft," Mr Joyce told reporters at Sydney
Airport before boarding the plane.
"We are 100 per cent comfortable with the operation of the aircraft."
The pilot of the sold-out QF31 flight, David Evans, also spoke of his confidence in
the aircraft.
However, as a precaution, Captain Evans said he would be reducing the thrust of the
engines.
Passengers boarding the plane said having Mr Joyce on the flight was reassuring.
"They've got a good safety record anyway, but I think particularly with the first
flight since the incident, I'm sure that all the safety protocols would have been
double-checked," passenger Ann Harvey told reporters.
It's been a costly three weeks for Qantas since the carrier's A380s were grounded on
November 4 after flight QF32 - bound for Sydney from Singapore - was forced to turn
back minutes after takeoff when one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines exploded in
mid-air.
The explosion was blamed on an oil fire in the engine. As a result, after checks on
its fleet of six planes, three engines have been replaced and an additional 13 could
eventually be swapped.
A second A380 aircraft is expected to leave Los Angeles for Sydney later this week,
Qantas said.
By Christmas, it should have in service four of the planes, which can each carry 500
passengers.
The aircraft involved in the mid-air scare over Indonesia remains in Singapore,
where it is being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Talks are under way with engine-maker Rolls-Royce over a potential compensation
package, Mr Joyce said.
airline returns its fleet of double deckers to the skies after recent engine
trouble.
Qantas's six A380s have been grounded for just over three weeks after a mid-air
engine explosion over the Indonesian island of Batam.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, who was on board Saturday's flight to London via
Singapore, said all safety checks had been completed.
"It's great that we can reintroduce the aircraft," Mr Joyce told reporters at Sydney
Airport before boarding the plane.
"We are 100 per cent comfortable with the operation of the aircraft."
The pilot of the sold-out QF31 flight, David Evans, also spoke of his confidence in
the aircraft.
However, as a precaution, Captain Evans said he would be reducing the thrust of the
engines.
Passengers boarding the plane said having Mr Joyce on the flight was reassuring.
"They've got a good safety record anyway, but I think particularly with the first
flight since the incident, I'm sure that all the safety protocols would have been
double-checked," passenger Ann Harvey told reporters.
It's been a costly three weeks for Qantas since the carrier's A380s were grounded on
November 4 after flight QF32 - bound for Sydney from Singapore - was forced to turn
back minutes after takeoff when one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines exploded in
mid-air.
The explosion was blamed on an oil fire in the engine. As a result, after checks on
its fleet of six planes, three engines have been replaced and an additional 13 could
eventually be swapped.
A second A380 aircraft is expected to leave Los Angeles for Sydney later this week,
Qantas said.
By Christmas, it should have in service four of the planes, which can each carry 500
passengers.
The aircraft involved in the mid-air scare over Indonesia remains in Singapore,
where it is being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Talks are under way with engine-maker Rolls-Royce over a potential compensation
package, Mr Joyce said.
