Qantas A380

Qantas Airways is suspending all Airbus A380 flights after an engine failure forced one of the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Singapore.

“Safety is our number one priority,” says Qantas CEO Alan Joyce. “We are suspending all A380 flights until we have sufficient information, until we are completely confident that all Qantas safety standards are met.”

The airline adds in a statement: “We have commenced our own investigations as to how this incident occurred and have notified the ATSB [Australian Transport Safety Bureau]. We will continue to work with them as they investigate the issue.”

Qantas has six A380s in active service and another 14 on order. It operates them on its high-yield high-capacity services out of Melbourne and Sydney to London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, and Singapore.

The A380 involved in the incident, which had the registration number VH-OQA, was en-route from Singapore to Sydney. It made an emergency landing in Singapore after developing an “engine issue” shortly after take off, says Qantas.

VH-OQA was the first A380 delivered to Qantas, entering service on 18 September 2008. The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.

Television footage from Indonesia shows aircraft debris in the red and white colours of Qantas. Qantas engine cowlings feature the red and white Qantas livery. Indonesian media reports say an explosion was heard over the island of Batam, and debris was found littered over a field.

The aircraft had 433 passengers and 26 crew on board, says Qantas. There were no injuries due to the incident.

ATI

An attempted terrorist attack aboard an Airbus A330-300 with Delta Air Lines livery failed and the aircraft made a safe landing as scheduled at Detroit Metro Wayne County airport.

According to US media reports, White House officials have confirmed a Nigerian passenger aboard Northwest Flight 253 tried to blow up the aircraft.

Rep Peter King, the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, told media outlets the passenger used a “somewhat sophisticated” explosive device.

Flight 253 landed in Detroit about one hour later than scheduled at 11:42am EST, according to the Flight Aware airline tracking web site. The flight also departed Amsterdam Schiphol airport slightly more than an hour late at 10:02am CET, the site says.

Eyewitnesses interviewed by national media described hearing a firework-like sound, followed quickly by smoke and flames.

Another passenger, Syed Jafry, told Fox News TV channel that the explosion occurred as the A330 began its descent to the Detroit airport.

Continental

United States based Continental Airlines has entered into codeshare agreements with Lufthansa Airlines offering a wider range of destinations worldwide.

Houston based Continental Airlines will offer flights to Asmara on codeshare agreement with Lufthansa via Frankfurt. All Continental flights to and from Frankfurt will operate through its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport connecting to over 25 domestic airports in the United States.

Since last week, Continental flight numbers appear on 50 routes operated by Lufthansa, including the routing Frankfurt- Jeddah- Asmara. On the Continental home page lowest fares available start from approximately US$ 4500 for return flights departing in the next two months to Asmara. Continental operates flights to Frankfurt with a fleet of Boeing 767-400.

During a 16-month transition the airline changed its membership from the Skyteam Alliance to the Star Alliance group. Analysts, believe that this is the first step in a planned joint venture between Air Canada, Lufthansa, United and Continental.

“Since making the strategic decision 16 months ago to join Star Alliance, Continental has been intensely focused on making preparations for this change,” said Continental Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner in October. “For our customers, the change will be seamless and will deliver significantly improved travel opportunities.”

Emergency services in Shanghai are attending the scene of a crash involving a Boeing MD-11 freighter operated by cargo carrier Avient Aviation.

Seven crew members were on board the aircraft, and initial indications point to at least three fatalities.

Avient says that the accident occurred during take-off from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 08:16.

The aircraft was operating a charter freight flight, says Avient, which has a UK headquarters although its fleet is registered in Zimbabwe.

“At this time, the full resources of Avient’s accident response team have been mobilised and will be devoted to co-operating with all authorities responding to the accident,” the carrier adds.

While the identity of the airframe has yet to be confirmed, Avient had only just taken delivery of its first MD-11F – registered Z-BAV, serial number 48408 – in the last few days.

This aircraft is an 18-year old Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered example. Avient opted for the MD-11F to begin replacing its McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30Fs. Source: (RATI)