Lately, it seems like QANTAS has all kinds of engine failures all over its fleet.  Is it because they’re not maintaining them?  I seriously doubt that.  You have to consider how QANTAS uses its 747 and A380 fleets. 

QANTAS is somewhat unique in that many of the routes it flies are not just exceptionally long but also exceptionally full.  This means the aircraft are being operated at their maximum performance far more often than virtually any other airline is required to do.  These aircraft are fully loaded with people and fuel and then must use maximum take-off performance in order to loft themselves into the sky for flights that have durations inexcess of 14 hours. 

That puts a lot of wear on engines that other airlines just don’t suffer.

Filed under: Airline Fleets by ajax