Airbus recalls: A Look At Aircraft Safety & Solar Flare Impact

CGTN Europe

CGTN Europe spoke to John Strickland, independent aviation business strategist.

Transcript

00:00Let's bring in John Strickland, an independent aviation business strategist.

00:03Now, hello, John. I'm wondering, is it clear why it took an in-flight incident for this problem actually to be identified?

00:12We'll have to wait for a full investigation of the incident.

00:15Obviously, it happened about two weeks ago.

00:18The airline, the manufacturers, the safety authorities have been obviously looking at this behind the scenes,

00:23which is what would normally go on for any incident, whether minor or major in the industry.

00:28I think it's worth pointing out, but it does seem to be pretty unique.

00:32I certainly can't remember in my entire career an incident of this kind where sun activities,

00:37solar flare activities, had an effect on flying controls of an aircraft.

00:42So it certainly is very unusual.

00:44Obviously, the decision was taken after analyzing the data that action had to be taken.

00:50And once that decision was reached, then, as we've seen, the authorities move quite quickly.

00:56Do you think there are any remaining safety concerns?

00:59Would you be concerned about getting on one of these planes if it's been upgraded?

01:04I wouldn't be concerned.

01:05I did fly on an Airbus 320 only a week ago after this incident had happened.

01:09Granted, we didn't know publicly about it at that time.

01:12But the software upgrade appears to have been pretty successfully implemented in the majority of the fleet.

01:20And what I know in terms of the quality standards of the industry, the focus,

01:25obviously safety is preeminent, it's pivotal.

01:27There is no other criteria by which a flight will operate.

01:32If the flight has to be delayed or canceled, aircraft grounded,

01:35and that is what is needed for passenger safety and the safety of the operating staff,

01:40that's what will happen.

01:41We saw, of course, the difficulties Boeing faced for over two years

01:44when they had Boeing 737 MAXEC grounded globally.

01:48Airlines just had to deal with that headache because that's what was needed until a solution could be found.

01:54Well, I mean, that's the next question, really, is what impact is this going to have on Airbus's image?

01:59They've been seen as the more reliable provider, especially in comparison to Boeing.

02:03Do you think this is a dent to their credibility?

02:07I don't think it is a dent.

02:09I think what it demonstrates is the willingness to move quickly when something happens,

02:14not to hesitate in any way to get those aircraft upgraded,

02:18or if they're not able to be upgraded, if a new computer part is needed to keep them on the ground

02:23until that part is replaced.

02:26And this is what should be the closely knit web between not only the manufacturers in the airlines,

02:31but the regulators, the safety regulators around the world,

02:35such as FAA or USA or European Air Safety Agency here in Europe, where I'm speaking to you from.

02:42All right.

02:43Thank you so much for your insights there.

02:45John Strickland is an independent aviation business strategist.

02:48All right.

02:52All right.

03:08All right.

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