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24-Nov-2010 10:50 AM

Qantas unsure when remaining A380s will return to service

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce stated it would take "some time" for it to return the remaining four A380s to operations, after yesterday announcing plans to return two of the aircraft to operations over the next week (Reuters, 23-Nov-2010). He also declined to comment on when it would resume Los Angeles A380 services, which require a higher thrust level for take-off (The Australian, 24-Nov-2010). Mr Joyce stated that "out of an abundance of caution" it is modifying 16 Trent 900 engines in the fleet. The carrier has replaced two engines on the first A380 to resume operations. Qantas declined to comment on details of other engine changes, as these have not been finalised. Qantas has also agreed not to fly any of the aircraft until the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has studied and cleared the plans. Qantas now expects four A380s to be in operation by Christmas, including two new aircraft to be delivered soon. Mr Joyce stated Qantas will discuss compensation with Rolls-Royce "when the time is appropriate" and it is too early to assess how much the issue has cost the airline (Dow Jones, 22-Nov-2010). The CEO added he does not believe the incident will affect Qantas' image in the long term (AFP, 23-Nov-2010). Mr Joyce will be on the first A380 service, operating from Sydney to London via Singapore on 27-Nov-2010 (Bloomberg, 23-Nov-2010). Rolls-Royce and Airbus welcomed Qantas' plans to resume A380 operations.

Qantas: "This is a worldwide fleet issue, so it is not just engines Qantas has, it is engines that other operators also have, and this is an issue that will have to be resolved for all of the other [A380] operators. We are not going to get into, at this stage, talking about what those compensation or dialogue will entail, but we will be talking to Rolls-Royce when the time is a appropriate about a range of issues," Alan Joyce, CEO. Source: Reuters, 23-Nov-2010.

Rolls-Royce: "We are delighted that Qantas is resuming operation of its A380 fleet. We continue to work closely with Airbus, the regulators and our other airline customers to assure safe operation," Spokesperson. Source: Reuters, 23-Nov-2010.

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