Seems like an evacuation test is the least of their problems now..
A380 delays Qantas dogfight
By IAN HUGHES
February 21, 2005
STRESS fractures uncovered during testing of the new Airbus A380 mega-plane may delay an upping of the ante in the battle between Qantas and Singapore Airlines for market share.
According to reports from Germany's Der Spiegel magazine, Airbus engineers have failed to iron out problems encountered in stress tests.
There were "unexpected and significant difficulties" with the rear end of the plane when tests were carried out on it, the magazine quoted an insider as saying.
The landing gear is also causing engineers concern, the magazine reported, adding that the A380's first flight in March could be delayed by weeks.
An Airbus spokesman said however that the stress tests were heading in the right direction within the company's expectations, Der Spiegel said.
Qantas has ordered 12 of the giant planes, each of which is capable of carrying 555 passengers in comfort on long haul flights.
Singapore Airlines has already signalled its intention to be the first airline to introduce the A380, with Sydney-to-London the most likely route it will fly.
At the same time, Qantas boss Geoff Dixon yesterday warned that the national carrier could forfeit as much as $44 million in annual pre-tax earnings if Singapore Airlines won the right to fly the lucrative Australia/US route.
Mr Dixon told Channel 9's Business Sunday program that the figure, calculated by finance analysts, was accurate.
"It could be close, but that is not just the reason that we don't want them to fly," he said.
"I think at some stage they will fly on that route.
"We are asking really to make sure that we have similar advantages as Singapore Airlines.
"We are restricted, no matter what Singapore Airlines says, but I think the Australian Government realises we have real restrictions on our ability to fly into certain markets out of Singapore," Mr Dixon said.
"They are very important markets for us. It is not Singapore's fault but is an issue that must be addressed.
"I mean you are talking about an industry that is totally regulated in those places where governments have a major interest no matter what," he said.
On February 17 Australian Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said the Federal Government was "almost at a point where the proposal could come before cabinet and a decision made."
The Australian government is in talks with Singapore on allowing Singapore Airlines to fly the trans-Pacific route, which is about 10 per cent of Qantas' annual profit.
