NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Sydney, Australia, 2009/03/06 - Qantas today welcomed the latest interim reports issued by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) into the QF30 and QF72 inflight incidents in 2008.

The reports indicate that the ATSB's investigations continue to focus on:

• the failure of one of 13 passenger emergency oxygen system cylinders on the B747-400 operated QF30 Hong-Kong-Melbourne service and subsequent diversion to Manila on 25 July 2008; and

• a fault with the operation of one of three Air Data Inertial Reference Units (ADIRUs) on the A330-300 operated QF72 Singapore-Perth service and subsequent diversion to Learmonth on 7 October 2008.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said the factual accounts of the incidents and investigations to date continued to support the findings of Qantas' own investigations.

"These two incidents involved extremely rare, if not unique, circumstances that were beyond Qantas' control," Mr Joyce said.

"Both reports detail the facts that have been gathered by the Bureau to date, including information provided by Qantas from our own investigations.

"We, and all airlines operating these aircraft types, are keen to fully understand what contributed to these highly unusual incidents.

"Importantly, both reports confirm that Qantas has responded appropriately to all safety actions required by the ATSB."

Mr Joyce said Qantas remained totally focused on safety.

"Our approach to safety has not changed in any way and is based on our commitment to the highest standards and practices," he said.

"Safety remains our highest priority and we will continue to work closely with the ATSB, CASA and manufacturers on these ongoing investigations."

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (3898)

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