SYDNEY: Embattled Australian carrier Qantas Friday diverted one of its superjumbo A380 planes to Dubai after it developed an engine problem, a spokeswoman said.
Qantas flight 31 from Singapore to London was carrying 258 passengers, four pilots and 21 cabin crew when it was forced to change course. It landed in the United Arab Emirates early Friday.
"QF31 Singapore to London has diverted to Dubai this morning following an issue with the aircraft number four engine," the spokeswoman told AFP, adding there were no further details currently available.
"In line with standard operating procedures the engine was shut down and the aircraft is expected to land without further incident."
Qantas, which on Saturday shut down its entire fleet as part of an industrial fight with unions, previously grounded its Airbus A380 planes after one experienced a mid-air engine explosion after take off from Singapore.
The carrier grounded its six A380s for intensive safety checks after the November 4, 2010 blast sent shards of metal raining down on an Indonesian island and punched a hole in the wing of the aircraft.
Qantas resumed limited A380 flights to London in late November 2010, but refused to relaunch A380 flights on the trans-Pacific route to Los Angeles until all concerns over its Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines had been resolved.
The airline reached a $100 million settlement with engine maker Rolls-Royce over the incident.
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