A defect has been detected in a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine bound for Qantas from Airbus production facility in Toulouse. A faulty oil tube is reported to have been found in the engine, which has caused delays to the transfer of the new A380 to Qantas. The airline was expecting to take delivery of its eighth A380 this month but there are doubts it will be in service before Christmas.
Because only two of its six A380s have returned to service, Qantas is eager to take delivery of the new aircraft to fill the gaps in its network. Also while the engine thrust restrictions remain in place, Qantas says it is ''uncommercial'' to fly its A380s between Australia and the US because the aircraft are only carrying 80 passengers instead of the usual 450.