Brisbane, Australia, Mar 18: Australian domestic budget airline Virgin Blue insisted its planes were safe, despite aviation authorities restricting its flights due to questions over its computerized maintenance logging system.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has said Virgin Blue`s rapid growth, from two planes in August 2000 to 40 now -- meant its maintenance infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. Virgin Blue alerted CASA to the problem in December after it found it could not account for the complete histories and maintenance records of all its aircraft parts.
CASA has ordered Virgin Blue to make sure its planes are no more than one hour from an airport during flights, but said the airline`s computer problem posed no danger to passengers.
Virgin Blue Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said the computer problems have been resolved.
"We`ve satisfied ourselves and CASA that there is no issue with regards to the aircraft, or else they wouldn`t be flying," he said.Investors appeared unconcerned over the flap.
Virgin Blue, the brainchild of British tycoon Richard Branson, has grabbed about 30 percent of Australia`s domestic aviation market since its launch in 2000.
Bureau Report
