The A380 crack news is overblown and it is important to source the loudest voices. It happens that the most vociferous voices are in Australia. Take a look at these two sources; link 1 and link 2. Given the state of relations between Qantas and some of its unions, is there any wonder where the noise is coming from?
The union’s attempt to induce some sort of panic is not a good idea at all. The A380 has weathered a far more frightening event (QF32) than hairline cracks. Calling for the grounding of the A380 fleet worldwide is disingenuous; this demand is a spurious attempt at creating a media frenzy.
There were no calls for grounding Boeing 737s after cracks (real big ones, not hairline) appeared. That ramped up checks on the fleet were needed was not argued; repairs were made and the planes continue to provide sterling service. No crew will board a plane they feel is “unsafe”. If the crews fly, so should you. Don’t buy into any loud pontifications. Especially ones seeking media coverage.
If something is not good for Qantas, then it’s not good for the Qantas union members either. The A380 is the Qantas flagship. They need this airplane to attract passengers just like Pan Am needed the 747 to expand their market share back in the sixties. By shooting the A380 down the union is actually shooting itself in the foot.
Pan Am? It’s not anymore in business. Perhaps the 747 was simply too big for Pan Am.
Hope Qantas does better with the A380.
Being that the A380’s are used for long haul flights,the amount of cycles is low and cannot be compared what happened to the high cycle,multiple daily stops that the 737’s encounter every day.
I think that the A380,an aircraft with low cycles developing cracks is a cause for further investigation.
Structure cracked is not critical so this does not impact flight safety. It is not out of ordinary for a new platform.