QF A380s [possibly] out of service for summer [news article]

[djfuzz]

A380s out for summer peak period

QANTAS has signalled that its six flagship Airbus A380 aircraft could be out of service during the lucrative summer holidays, after preliminary investigations pinned the blame for last week's mid-air emergency on an ''oil fire''.

As the grounding of the Qantas A380 fleet entered a second week, European regulators yesterday ordered all airlines using the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines to inspect them after every 20 flights until the incident is fully understood and rectified.

The European Aviation Safety Agency said preliminary analysis of debris showed that an oil fire in the high and intermediate-pressure section of the failed second engine on the Qantas plane may have been to blame.

''This condition, if not detected, could ultimately result in uncontained engine failure, potentially leading to damage to the aeroplane and hazards to persons or property on the ground,'' it said.

Note that nowhere in the article is there any statement from Qantas that suggests the conclusion drawn by the author / sub-editor and that is stated as fact in the headline, other than the schedule changes for the next few weeks.

Credible speculation, or typical Flairfacts vs No-News click-baiting obfuscation?

 

[JohnK]

Does anyone really know how long the A380's will be out of action?

 

[samh004]

Does anyone really know how long the A380's will be out of action?

RR probably has a good idea, but I doubt they’d want to say anything publicly, or even to their customers.

 

[serfty]

The article takes a long draw to a bow really.

It takes one fact and extrapolates it:

Qantas has released a new international schedule for coming weeks that does not include A380s.

"ergo - they MAY be out of action though to next year."

Yes they could be out for Summer. Personally I doubt it considering news regarding engines etc. . I believe by early December all other than VH-OQA will be back in action.

Nancy-Bird Walton is another issue - it will probably be well into next year before that bird operates again. (Qantas A380 superjumbo full of holes | Herald Sun)

 

[oz_mark]

I guess they glossed over this bit in the statement from Qantas

regardless of when A380 aircraft re-enter service

When they become available they will put them back into the schedule, but until then they have come up with an alternative way of servicing the routes.

 

[dede]

My MEL_LAX flight on Dec 5 is still showing the A380 - hope I don't lose my good seats, although chances of an Op-up on a 747 are probably better I'd say.

 

[xt_20]

Got a flight planned SIN-PER on 27DEC... hopefully the A380s are back in service and we get the A330s back or else I'll be on a B767 without PTV!!!

 

[Logan^]

I am waiting with baited breath about what SIA A380's as I am due to fly to London in December. 3 Grounded so far....

 

[JohnK]

It takes one fact and extrapolates it:"ergo - they MAY be out of action though to next year."

Don't say that. I am due to travel on an A380 from MEL on 26 December. I don't need another holiday jeopardised.

 

[opusman]

Don't say that. I am due to travel on an A380 from MEL on 26 December. I don't need another holiday jeopardised.

I didn't know the A380 did MEL-BKK :mrgreen:

 

[adl73x]

The knock on effects of the A380s being out of service are also fun. Tomorrow I have an involuntary re-routing for BNE - HKG via MEL. As I'm going on from HKG to CDG and LHR, that's a lovely detour to start the haul!

 

[JohnK]

I didn't know the A380 did MEL-BKK :mrgreen:

LOL! It does do MEL-SIN though and from there a few options available for SIN-BKK. I have opted for the straight forward option after a night of relaxation in SIN.

Why fly direct when you can connect in all these strange cities? :shock:

 

[Sprucegoose]

My MEL_LAX flight on Dec 5 is still showing the A380 - hope I don't lose my good seats, although chances of an Op-up on a 747 are probably better I'd say.

Depends on what type 747. Do you know which bird you are on?

 

[straitman]

I am waiting with baited breath about what SIA A380's as I am due to fly to London in December. 3 Grounded so far....

With SIA's seemingly, (to use Sam's terminology) dodgy approach to this I would not be in a hurry to jump on board one of their birds any time soon.