Airbus is investigating the cause of noxious fumes in the cabin of a brand new Airbus A330-900 after New Caledonian carrier Aircalin returned the aircraft to Toulouse, following complaints of headaches and eye irritation by cabin crew and passengers.
Airbus is investigating the cause of noxious fumes in the cabin of a brand new Airbus A330-900 after New Caledonian carrier Aircalin returned the aircraft to Toulouse, following complaints of headaches and eye irritation by cabin crew and passengers.
The Nouméa-based carrier only received its two Rolls Royce Trent 7000-powered A330-900s in July and October, with the aircraft replacing two A330-200s to operate routes from the French Pacific island territory to Australia, Japan, and other Pacific islands.
The aircraft involved, registered F-ONET, was withdrawn from service after a flight from Sydney following complaints of a strong smell of oil in the cabin which caused headaches and eye irritation. Inspections of the aircraft in Nouméa failed to identify or resolve the problem, resulting in the aircraft being returned to Toulouse for further investigation on 18 November, confirms the airline. The other A330-900 remains in service.
“The aircraft has been flown to Toulouse for thorough inspections and to identify the cause of the problem,” says Airbus. “We don’t have any further comment at this time, pending the outcome of the tests,” it adds.
In the meantime, Aircalin says operations are not affected as it has returned one of its two A330-200s to service, which bears the registration F-OJSE.
TAP Air Portugal was reported earlier this year to have encountered similar issues with some of its new A330-900s.
