Qantas airbus A380 fleet could now be grounded for weeks
plans how to fix an engine problem that forced one of the superjumbos into an
emergency landing, sources said.
and it is still in the early stages,” said an Australian-based source with direct
knowledge of the situation and who asked to remain nameless because they were
not authorised to discuss the issue.
an action plan and its documentation. I very much doubt whether there is an exact
timeline in place.”
a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine failed on November 4. A delay would squeeze the
Australian airline’s capacity as it heads into the busy holiday season.
accident, both falling more than 7%.
followed by a frenzy of media speculation surrounding the cause, cost and long-term
impact, and which has put Rolls-Royce under pressure.
the engine’s turbine, and it would replace the relevant module according to an
agreed programme.
day because of the grounding, according to analysts, who said Rolls-Royce will
face compensation claims from other A380 operators, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.
by plans to reassign engines.
into 2011, as the fixing could take longer and as EADS is asking for compensation,”
said Credit Agricole analyst Antoine Boivin-Champeaux.