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Rolls-Royce 'makes progress' in A380 engine probe | Rolls-Royce 'makes progress' in A380 engine probe |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Rolls-Royce says it has "made progress" in its investigation into the cause of engine problems on the Airbus A380. | Rolls-Royce says it has "made progress" in its investigation into the cause of engine problems on the Airbus A380. |
The firm did not say whether its engineers had identified what caused one of its engines to break apart on a Qantas flight last Thursday. | The firm did not say whether its engineers had identified what caused one of its engines to break apart on a Qantas flight last Thursday. |
But the British firm said the problem was specific to the type of engine being used on the plane. | |
Shares in Rolls-Royce, which had fallen by about 10% since the incident over Singapore, rose on the announcement. | |
On Monday, Qantas said it had found "slight anomalies" on three A380 engines and was keeping its fleet of six A380s grounded for further checks. | On Monday, Qantas said it had found "slight anomalies" on three A380 engines and was keeping its fleet of six A380s grounded for further checks. |
Tests have uncovered oil leaks in the engines of three of its grounded A380s. | Tests have uncovered oil leaks in the engines of three of its grounded A380s. |
Rolls-Royce said it was clear that the incident was specific to the Trent 900 type of engine which powered the A380 Qantas flight. | Rolls-Royce said it was clear that the incident was specific to the Trent 900 type of engine which powered the A380 Qantas flight. |
It said it had agreed a series of checks and inspections - which would allow airlines to resume flying the planes. | It said it had agreed a series of checks and inspections - which would allow airlines to resume flying the planes. |
"We are working in close cooperation with Airbus, our customers and the authorities, and as always safety remains our highest priority," it said. | "We are working in close cooperation with Airbus, our customers and the authorities, and as always safety remains our highest priority," it said. |
Other airlines using Roll-Royce powered A380s have continued to fly them without any major disruption. | Other airlines using Roll-Royce powered A380s have continued to fly them without any major disruption. |
Industry expert Sean Maffett suggested that this may be because the engines on the Qantas planes are slightly different. | Industry expert Sean Maffett suggested that this may be because the engines on the Qantas planes are slightly different. |
He told BBC News that they have bespoke electronic controls which allow them to fly in hotter temperatures or at higher altitudes. | He told BBC News that they have bespoke electronic controls which allow them to fly in hotter temperatures or at higher altitudes. |
This may explain why Qantas has still grounded its flights, he suggests. Rolls-Royce refused to comment. | This may explain why Qantas has still grounded its flights, he suggests. Rolls-Royce refused to comment. |
Long-term worries | Long-term worries |
All of Qantas's six A380 planes have Rolls-Royce engines. | All of Qantas's six A380 planes have Rolls-Royce engines. |
The concern is that the engine failure could have been a sign of one or more major problems, which could hit Rolls-Royce's reputation and future sales. | The concern is that the engine failure could have been a sign of one or more major problems, which could hit Rolls-Royce's reputation and future sales. |
Rolls-Royce, which is working with Qantas on the investigation, has seen its market value fall more than £1.5bn since the incident. | Rolls-Royce, which is working with Qantas on the investigation, has seen its market value fall more than £1.5bn since the incident. |
However, after falling by as much as 3.4% in early trading on Monday, Rolls' shares clawed back some losses after it announced a £350m service contract from EgyptAir. | However, after falling by as much as 3.4% in early trading on Monday, Rolls' shares clawed back some losses after it announced a £350m service contract from EgyptAir. |
The Airbus A380 superjumbo uses one of two engines. | The Airbus A380 superjumbo uses one of two engines. |
The Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine has been installed in more than half of the A380s currently in service. | The Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine has been installed in more than half of the A380s currently in service. |
The remainder use an engine manufactured by General Electric and Pratt & Whitney. Their engines have not been implicated in this recent safety scare. | The remainder use an engine manufactured by General Electric and Pratt & Whitney. Their engines have not been implicated in this recent safety scare. |
The two businesses are committed to engines for a further 197 planes on order. | The two businesses are committed to engines for a further 197 planes on order. |
If it turns out that the Rolls-Royce engine is not fit for purpose and the engine is withdrawn, Rolls would have to offer a refund for the engines sold to its Airbus A380 customers. | If it turns out that the Rolls-Royce engine is not fit for purpose and the engine is withdrawn, Rolls would have to offer a refund for the engines sold to its Airbus A380 customers. |
What is more, Rolls Royce would lose the income that would come from servicing these engines - typically over 40 years - which makes up a big chunk of the engine-makers' revenue. | What is more, Rolls Royce would lose the income that would come from servicing these engines - typically over 40 years - which makes up a big chunk of the engine-makers' revenue. |
Shares in EADS, the aerospace giant that owns Airbus, have also been falling following last week's emergency landing by the Qantas A380. On Monday, its shares ended up 0.6%. | Shares in EADS, the aerospace giant that owns Airbus, have also been falling following last week's emergency landing by the Qantas A380. On Monday, its shares ended up 0.6%. |