Qantas Statement on Aircraft Maintenance

Sydney, 22 March 2006

Qantas said today it was still committed to keeping aircraft heavy maintenance work in Australia.

The Executive General Manager of Qantas Engineering, Mr David Cox, said the arrangement for a single Boeing 747-400 aircraft to undergo a heavy maintenance check in Singapore next month was not out of the norm.

"We are in a transition period ahead of moving our heavy maintenance operations to Avalon," Mr Cox said.

"On occasion we carry out maintenance work offshore - work that is done by qualified, reputable and fully certified service providers. We have made no secret of this and it will continue when necessary.

"To be clear - right now we have plans for one aircraft to undergo a maintenance check overseas, however we will always reserve the right to send some work offshore to meet operational requirements where necessary."

Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (3406)
Email: qantasmedia@qantas.com.au