Regulator wants to know why Hong Kong Airlines has a screw loose
Hong Kong’s aviation authority is seeking answers from beleaguered Hong Kong Airlines over why jet parts keep falling from the skies.
The civil aviation department wants a detailed report from the airline in response to media reports citing claims by Japan’s ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism.
The ministry said eight HK Airlines aircraft were found to be missing certain external parts on arrival at Tokyo’s Narita Airport.
It said a total of 19 parts were found to be missing in just a few days during late May.
Narita airport authorities suspect the missing parts may have fallen off mid-flight.
Japan authorities said it was ‘unusual that components from several planes of the same airline fell off successively in such a short period of time.’
HK Airlines admitted parts were missing but maintains it hasn’t impacted safety.
It says comprehensive pre-departure checks are carried as standard.
"The small missing item is usually a screw and washer set which falls within operationally acceptable regulatory standards and does not pose any safety risk or violation," the airline said.
The Civil Aviation department agreed but transport secretary Frank Chan Fan says it is still nevertheless concerning.
He called on the airline to carry out detailed inspections of all aircraft and report the findings.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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