Posted: February 10, 2013 | Author: walesairforum | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Broughton, Ciudad de Cadiz, Dee estuary, EADS, Engineering, Flintshire, Hawarden, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Airbus, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Maintenance, Manufacturing, sandbank, Ship, Wings |
A fresh bid to refloat a ship carrying Airbus aircraft wings from a sandbank on the Dee estuary has been successful.
The Ciudad de Cadiz, which transports Airbus wings from Flintshire to France, had been grounded outside Mostyn Docks for a week-and-a-half.
The 125m vessel slipped its moorings in high winds on 30 January.
Ship salvage experts had been forced to wait until Saturday morning for a high enough spring tide to refloat the vessel, after earlier attempts failed.
The tide at 10:00 GMT was sufficient to lift the ship from the sandbank, and it made its way safely to Mostyn Port.
“It is now undergoing a survey, and if all is well, it will travel to Holyhead for a full dive survey,” said a spokesperson for the Coastguard in Liverpool.
The ship became stuck as it was waiting to go into port to pick up wings made at the Airbus plant at Broughton for delivery to the company’s assembly factory at Toulouse in southern France.
But high winds, and then lower than expected tides meant attempts to move the ship had to be abandoned until this weekend.
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Posted: February 8, 2013 | Author: walesairforum | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Broughton, Ciudad de Cadiz, Dee estuary, EADS, Engineering, Flintshire, Hawarden, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Airbus, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Maintenance, Manufacturing, sandbank, Ship, Wings |
Airbus ship floating again at Mostyn Docks on Thursday.
By Gary Porter
A SHIP grounded off the coast could be stuck there until April unless it’s re-floated in the next few days.
The MV Cuidad de Cadiz, which takes wings made at Airbus’ Broughton plant to France, has been stranded at Salisbury Bank, Mostyn, for more than a week.
The vessel is currently marooned on top of cockle beds but Environment Agency Wales is unable to assess any potential damage until it has returned to the sea.
A spokeswoman for Lavers, who monitor the tides, said: “Monday is the highest tide for some time with the next coming in April.
“But it must be remembered that tides are also affected by the weather pressure. It’s not really possible to say how long it will be there for.”
A spokesman for Airbus said the company couldn’t “speculate on future outcomes” but admitted recent high tides had been lower than predicted.
He added: “A decision was taken to postpone refloating the vessel until this weekend at the earliest.
“The vessel is safe, stable, on an upright position, sitting on a soft sandbank.
“It is an ongoing situation but we continue to work closely with all the relevant authorities to ensure the earliest resolution to this issue.
“There are no wings on the Cadiz and we will use another vessel to transport wings so there will be no impact on production.”
A spokesperson from Environment Agency Wales said: “Since the vessel became stranded last week we’ve been working closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to monitor the situation.
“They have advised that its structure remains intact and we are confident that it does not pose a pollution risk to the surrounding environment.
“Our shellfish officer has also been making initial assessments of any possible damage to the cockle beds, but we will not be able to fully assess this until the ship has been successfully refloated.”
A Maritime Coastguard Agency spokesman added: “There is no pollution and it is not blocking anything, so we will just have to wait and see what happens.”
Sourced by Daily Post
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Posted: February 4, 2013 | Author: walesairforum | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Broughton, Ciudad de Cadiz, Dee estuary, EADS, Engineering, Flintshire, Hawarden, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Airbus, Maintenance, Manufacturing, sandbank, Ship, Wings |
The ship will remains stranded for at least another week
Attempts to refloat a ship carrying Airbus aircraft wings which is stuck on a sandbank in the Dee estuary have been postponed for a week.
The Ciudad de Cadiz, which transports Airbus wings from Flintshire to France, has been grounded outside Mostyn Docks since Wednesday.
The 125m vessel slipped its moorings in high winds but is said to be secure.
Jim O’Toole from the Port of Mostyn said experts believed the tides would not be high enough until next Saturday.
Liverpool coastguard says a spring tide on 11 February will be almost 2m higher than those seen currently and will give the vessel a better chance to clear the sandbank.
Mr O’Toole said the ship is secure and safe in its current location and poses no risks. Its crew of 23 are still aboard.
He said the port continues to operate as normally.
‘Secure and safe’
The ship became grounded off Mostyn port at Wednesday lunchtime, and since then several attempts have been made to free it.
It is understood the ship was waiting to go into port to pick up wings made at the Airbus plant at Broughton for delivery to the company’s assembly factory at Toulouse in southern France.
The ship is one of three vessels used to ferry wings for the A380 Airbus super jumbo.
An Airbus spokesperson said: “Recent high tides have been lower than predicted so a decision has been taken to postpone refloating the vessel until next Saturday 9th February.
“The vessel remains in a secure and safe position on the sand bank. There is no marine pollution, the ship is not damaged but stuck on the sand.
“It is an ongoing situation but the protection of the environment is a top priority for Airbus, and we continue to work closely with all the relevant authorities to ensure the earliest resolution to this issue.”
Sourced by BBC News Wales
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Posted: February 1, 2013 | Author: sedgie47 | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Broughton, Ciudad de Cadiz, Dee estuary, EADS, Engineering, Flintshire, Hawarden, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Airbus, Maintenance, Manufacturing, sandbank, Ship, Wings |
Another attempt will be made to refloat a grounded ship from a Dee estuary sandbank later on Friday.
The Ciudad de Cadiz, which carries aircraft wings from Airbus in Flintshire to France, was grounded outside Mostyn Docks on Wednesday after slipping its moorings in high winds.
The 125m vessel, which had a 23-person crew, has been secured by three tugs.
Liverpool coastguards say the next high tide is at 14:15 GMT.
The incident happened off Mostyn port at about 13:45 GMT on Wednesday.
Airbus said it was not a safety issue and “nothing to be concerned about”.
It is understood the ship was waiting to go into port to pick up wings made at the Airbus plant at Broughton for delivery to the company’s assembly factory at Toulouse in southern France.
The ship is one of three vessels used to ferry wings for the A380 Airbus super jumbo.
No lifeboats have been called out to stand by the vessel.
Attempts to use high tides to refloat the ship failed on Thursday. Coastguards said there were no signs of pollution and the ship’s crew are all well onboard.
Sourced from BBC Wales News
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Posted: February 1, 2013 | Author: walesairforum | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Airbus, Broughton, Ciudad de Cadiz, Dee estuary, EADS, Engineering, Flintshire, Hawarden, Maintenance, Manufacturing, sandbank, Ship, Wings |
Airbus ship floating again at Mostyn Docks on Thursday.
By Steve Bagnall
FRESH attempts were made yesterday to refloat an Airbus ferry which ran aground in bad weather in Mostyn.
The ship, which carries wings made at Airbus’ Broughton plant to France for assembly, got into trouble on Wednesday.
Tugs from Mostyn Port were brought in yesterday to free it after attempts on Wednesday night failed.
Yesterday it had been moved into deeper water, but was still not fully afloat.
It is not uncommon for ferries to experience this type of problem in high tide.
An Airbus spokesman said: “It got into trouble because of the bad weather on Wednesday. There was no damage to the ship, it was not leaking fuel and there was no other danger from the ferry.”
Sourced by Daily Post
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Posted: January 31, 2013 | Author: sedgie47 | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Airbus, Broughton, Ciudad de Cadiz, Dee estuary, EADS, Engineering, Flintshire, Hawarden, Maintenance, Manufacturing, sandbank, Ship, Wings |
A ship which carries aircraft wings from Airbus in Flintshire to France remains grounded on a Dee estuary sandbank after slipping its moorings in high winds.
Attempts overnight to refloat the Ciudad de Cadiz failed and another attempt will be made later.
The 23 crew are safe and well and the 125m-long ship has been secured by three tugs, Liverpool Coastguard said.
A fresh attempt to refloat the vessel will be made at lunchtime.
The incident happened off Mostyn port at about 13:45 GMT on Wednesday.
Airbus said it is not a safety issue and “is nothing to be concerned about”.
Its understood the ship was waiting to go into port to pick up wings made at the Airbus plant at Broughton for delivery to the company’s assembly factory at Toulouse in southern France.
High water
The ship is one of three vessels used to ferry wings for the A380 Airbus super jumbo.
No lifeboats have been called out to stand by the vessel.
Paul Kirby, duty watch manager at Liverpool coastguard, said a fresh attempt would be made to refloat the vessel at the next high water at lunchtime on Thursday.
Three tugs will be used in the next bid to get the ship off the sandbank.
He explained how the Ciudad de Cadiz got stuck on the sandbank near Mostyn harbour.
“A gust came through Mostyn in excess of 50 to 55 knots. Unfortunately, the stern lines and forward lines snapped and drifted out into the River Dee itself.
“Unfortunately, it settled on Salisbury Bank just off Mostyn harbour. It’s in a relatively safe position, its on a flat sandbank The vessels upright and everything’s in tact.
“There’s no signs of pollution and the ship’s crew are all OK onboard.”
Sourced from BBC Wales News
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Posted: January 30, 2013 | Author: sedgie47 | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: Airbus, Broughton, Ciudad de Cadiz, Dee estuary, EADS, Engineering, Flintshire, Hawarden, Maintenance, Manufacturing, sandbank, Ship, Wings |
A ship which carries aircraft wings from Airbus in Flintshire to France has grounded on a Dee estuary sandbank after slipping its moorings in high winds.
The 23 crew aboard the Ciudad de Cadiz are waiting for tugs to refloat it on high tide.
Coastguards said the ship is in no danger after the incident off Mostyn port at about 13:45 GMT.
Airbus said it is not a safety issue and “is nothing to be concerned about”.
Its understood the ship was waiting to go into port to pick up wings made at the Airbus plant at Broughton for delivery to the company’s assembly factory at Toulouse in southern France.
The ship is one of three vessels used to ferry wings for the A380 Airbus super jumbo.
A spokesman for Liverpool coastguard station, which is dealing with the incident, said the ship’s agents had called in two tugs in an attempt to refloat the vessel at high tide between 00:00 GMT and 01:00 GMT on Thursday.
No lifeboats have been called out to stand by the vessel.
The coastguard spokesman said: “She’s not in any danger. She’s sitting on a soft sandbank and it’s a matter of waiting until high tide so that she can be refloated.”
Winds were gusting at 52 knots when the ship apparently slipped her moorings outside the port, he said.
Sourced from BBC Wales News
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Posted: August 29, 2012 | Author: walesairforum | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Airline & Route News, Hawarden / Broughton Airport | Tags: 2013, A321ceo, A321neo, A330-300, Airbus, Broughton, EADS, Engineering, Flintshire, Maintenance, Manufacturing, PAL, Philippine Airlines, Wings |
The deal is for 34 A321ceo, 10 A321neo and 10 A330-300s.
The aircraft – with wings made at Broughton – are being purchased under a major fleet modernisation programme at the airline, with deliveries starting in 2013.
The single aisle A321 aircraft are being purchased to enhance the airline’s product offerings on domestic and regional routes, as well as to support alliances with its partner airlines.
The widebody A330s will be operated on higher demand regional routes and longer range services to the Middle East and Australia. PAL will announce engine selections for all the aircraft at a later date.
“The orders we are placing with Airbus will play a key role in revitalising PAL and growing trade and tourism in the country, said PAL Chairman Lucio Tan and PAL President Ramon
S. Ang.
“With these aircraft we will be able to offer more passengers the best the industry has to offer across our Asia-Pacific network. At the same time, we will benefit from the low operating costs associated with new generation aircraft and the reduced impact on the environment.”
Sourced by Daily Post
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Posted: May 1, 2012 | Author: walesairforum | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing, Airline & Route News | Tags: A380, Airbus, Akbar Al Baker, Arabian Travel Market, ATM, Cracks, Defer, Delivery, Dubai, EADS, Engineering, Maintenance, Manufacturing, Qatar Airways, Superjumbo, Wings |
By Lucy Sierbert
Qatar Airways will defer delivery of its A380s until it gets more details about wing cracks on the aircraft, reports Reuters.
The news agency said Qatar Airways’ chief executive Akbar Al Baker announced the plan yesterday at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
“Qatar Airways will have to defer scheduled deliveries of its A380s from October 2013 until we have a clear position on the issue surrounding wing cracks which are under process of modification by Airbus,” he was quoted as saying.
The airline has 10 A380s on order.
Airbus is working with a number of airlines over the issue, including Qantas.
“I hope they will solve the problem…they are working very hard on it. There is a possibility for us to defer, yes. If there is no permanent solution found then we will have to defer,” Al Baker said.
Sourced by TTG Digital
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Posted: March 26, 2012 | Author: walesairforum | Filed under: Aircraft Engineering/Manufacturing | Tags: A380, Airbus, Cracks, EADS, EASA, Emirates, European Aviation Safety Agency, Grounded, Inspection, Qantas, Superjumbo, type two, Wings |
By: Mavis Toh Singapore
Source:
Qantas Airways has discovered “type two” cracks on two of its Airbus A380 aircraft and is now in talks with the airframer the cost implications of repairs.
The carrier found “fewer than 10″ cracks on the wing-rib feet on the affected aircraft, a spokesman said.
The cracks were discovered on aircraft VH-OQA and VH-OQB, in February and March, respectively, after the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered checks on the worldwide fleet of A380s.
VH-OQB has since been returned to service while VH-OQA, the same aircraft that suffered an uncontained engine failure near Singapore in November 2010, is still undergoing tests.
“We are in discussions with Airbus about the cost implications of the inspection and repair requirements,” says Qantas.
The spokesman adds that Qantas continues to comply fully with the EASA airworthiness directive mandating inspections on A380 wing-rib feet and that the cracks pose no risks to the safety of the affected aircraft.
The Australian carrier grounded another A380 – VH-OQF - last month after 36 cracks were found on the wing-rib feet.
On 8 March, Airbus parent EADS said it had made a €105 million ($138 million) provision to cover the cost of repairs to the initial 67 A380s in service.
No mention was made of any provision for compensation and the airframer could not immediately indicate whether there would be additional costs arising from manufacturing changes.
Emirates is also seeking compensation from the aircraft manufacturer for the disruption to its operations caused by the discovery of the cracks on 10 of its A380s.
Sourced by Flightglobal
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