Thaindian News

SINGAPORE (BNO NEWS) — Singapore Airlines on Wednesday announced that it will be taking precautions and replace engines in three of its 11 Airbus A380 superjumbo jetliners because of engine problems.

The announcement comes a week after a Qantas A380 aircraft operating flight 32 from Singapore to Sydney experienced an engine issue soon after take off and returned to Singapore. Debris from flight 32 fell on Indonesia’s Batam Island, near Singapore, after residents reported hearing a loud explosion.

The three A380s are currently in Britain and Australia, but they will be flown back to Singapore to carry out the engine replacements after inspections turned up oil stains in them. Another eight A380 aircraft, which were also inspected, had no reported problems.

“We apologize to our customers for flight disruptions that may result and we seek their understanding,” Singapore Airlines’ spokesperson Nicholas Ionides said.

Nonetheless, the airline company said it will continue to work with the Airbus A380.

“There is no cause for us not to take the remaining eight,” Singapore Airlines’ chief executive Chew Choon Seng said. “Just because a car is recalled does not mean you can’t use it in the meantime. We would not fly the planes unless we are confident they are airworthy.”