Vol. 439 No. 1
20 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if media reports that Air France has grounded the air buses in its fleet will alter in any way his views on the intention of Aer Lingus to purchase similar aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
On 12 January 1994, I announced that I had obtained Government approval for replacement of the Aer Lingus trans-atlantic fleet. The replacement trans-atlantic airfleet will consist of three new, third generation, A330 twin-engined widebody jets from Airbus Industrie.
Air Inter, a subsidiary of Groupe Air France, took delivery of an Airbus A330 in December last. This individual aircraft developed an undercarriage technical problem which occurred on an intermittent basis. Air Inter decided to ground this particular aircraft — and only this particular aircraft — to enable the manufacturer, Airbus Industrie, to fully investigate the problem.
As of 10 February 1994, the aircraft in question was re-released for commercial service following a full and satisfactory test programme. There is no reason to presume that this problem would recur on any other aircraft, including those to be delivered to Aer Lingus.
Groupe Air France operates a total of 107 Airbus aircraft and at no stage has Groupe Air France or its subsidiary, Air Inter, grounded its fleet of Airbus aircraft. Airbus Industrie has delivered over one thousand aircraft in over 20 years.
