Qantas Update On Qf32 And Qantas A380 Operations 1

Qantas Update On Qf32 And Qantas A380 Operations

5 November 2010

UPDATED 6.30AM 5 NOVEMBER 2010

Qantas' special relief flight was dispatched last night from Sydney to bring passengers affected by yesterday's QF32 engine failure and air return to Sydney. This flight will depart Singapore at 10.30am local time.

Qantas has done everything possible to assist customers in Singapore who were provided with overnight accommodation and meals.

Customers in Los Angeles affected by Qantas' suspension of A380 operations have also been accommodated, while arrangements are made to get them on flights to Australia as soon as possible.

Qantas has liaised closely with Rolls-Royce and Airbus overnight in an effort to understand the cause of the incident.

The airline is also supporting the ATSB as it commences its investigation into the incident.

More than 70 Qantas international flights, serviced by other fleet types, will operate into and out of Australia today as scheduled.

Flight update:

* today's QF93 service (Melbourne-Los Angeles), normally operated by an A380, has been delayed by 24 hours
* QF12 and QF108 (both Los Angeles-Sydney) and QF94 (Los Angeles-Melbourne) have also been delayed by 24 hours. These flights were scheduled to depart Los Angeles on 4 November local
* QF11 (Sydney-Los Angeles) and QF31 (Sydney-London via Singapore) will operate to schedule, with B747-400 aircraft replacing A380 aircraft
* QF10 (London-Singapore) on 5 November will be operated by a B777 aircraft chartered from British Airways. A decision will be made later this morning regarding customers with onward travel to Melbourne

Customers have been contacted regarding these flight changes.

Qantas will provide further updates later today. Updates will also be provided an qantas.com.

Background Information on QF32

A Qantas A380 aircraft operating QF32 from Singapore to Sydney experienced an engine issue soon after take off and returned to Singapore.

The aircraft had 440 passengers and 26 crew on board. In line with procedure, the pilot sought priority clearance for its return to Singapore. The aircraft landed safely at 11.45am local time.

Some media reports suggested the aircraft had crashed. These reports are incorrect. No Qantas aircraft has crashed. There were no injuries to any customers or crew.

Qantas has commenced its own investigations into how the incident occurred. The Australian Transport safety Bureau (ATSB) was notified immediately and Qantas will work with the Bureau as it investigates the issue.

In accordance with its commitment to the highest safety standards, Qantas yesterday suspended scheduled A380 operations until sufficient information had been obtained about what occurred on the QF32 aircraft.

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (Q5029c)
Media Enquiries: M: +61 (0)418 210 005

SOURCE: Qantas