Qantas has faced a significant setback after reactivating its 10th and final Airbus A380, which was grounded following its first post-storage flight. The Australian airline had parked its fleet of superjumbos in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has been gradually returning them to service. However, the latest aircraft to rejoin the fleet encountered issues during its inaugural flight from Sydney to Los Angeles, leading to its grounding.
The aircraft, registered as VH-OQC and named ‘Paul McGinness,’ departed Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport for Los Angeles International Airport on December 7. Despite arriving in Los Angeles ahead of schedule, the flight was marred by a wing incident captured by actor and host Lynn Gilmartin, who was on board. Gilmartin shared on social media that “a chunk of the wing snapped off” during the approach to LAX.
An Eventful Arrival in Los Angeles
Flight QF11, the A380’s first revenue-earning journey since reactivation, departed Sydney at 6:18 pm local time and landed in Los Angeles at 12:23 pm, seven minutes ahead of schedule. However, the arrival was more dramatic than anticipated. According to reports, the aircraft experienced an in-flight power issue affecting the entertainment system and seat recline functions. A Qantas spokesperson confirmed that a section of the left wing’s slat was damaged but stated that the aircraft “operated normally and landed without incident.”
Gilmartin, who initially hesitated to share the incident due to her loyalty to Qantas, described the experience as “disappointing” and expressed concerns over the airline’s decline in customer service and safety. Despite the incident, Qantas has historically maintained a strong safety record, which adds to the gravity of the situation.
Grounded in Los Angeles
Following the wing inspection at LAX, the aircraft has remained grounded. Qantas confirmed that passengers on the affected flight were compensated for the lack of in-flight entertainment. A spokesperson indicated that the necessary part for repairs is being sourced from Dubai, with the expectation that VH-OQC will return to service by Thursday.
The return flight, QF12, scheduled to depart LAX on December 7, was canceled, leaving the aircraft on the ground. This disruption is particularly frustrating for Qantas, which had invested considerable effort in reactivating its final A380 after a prolonged storage period.
A False Start After Lengthy Storage
The grounding of VH-OQC highlights the challenges airlines face when reintroducing aircraft after extended storage. The A380 was initially taken out of service in March 2020 due to the pandemic and was stored in Melbourne and Sydney before being relocated to Victorville, California, in July 2020. The aircraft’s return to service was a significant milestone for Qantas, but the unforeseen issues underscore the complexities involved in such operations.
Experts note that reactivating aircraft after long-term storage involves meticulous inspections and maintenance to ensure safety and reliability. The incident with VH-OQC serves as a reminder of the potential risks and the importance of thorough preparation.
Looking Ahead
As Qantas works to resolve the issues with VH-OQC, the airline will likely conduct a comprehensive review of its reactivation procedures. The incident may prompt other carriers to reassess their own processes as they bring stored aircraft back into service.
For passengers and industry observers, the situation underscores the ongoing challenges in the aviation sector as it recovers from the pandemic. The focus remains on ensuring safety and maintaining the high standards that passengers expect from airlines like Qantas.
The coming days will be critical as Qantas seeks to restore confidence and get its A380 fleet fully operational. The airline’s response to this incident will be closely watched as it navigates the complexities of post-pandemic aviation.
