SEPANG: The anticipated tour of AirAsia-X’s new Airbus A330 ended up as a computer slide show after the plane failed to touch down on schedule here due to a delay in its departure from Perth.

AirAsia-X chief executive officer, Azran Osman-Rani told the media, guests and AirAsia staff waiting at the low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) here yesterday that the plane was delayed in the interests of safety.

The plane was to have touched down at the LCCT at 1pm but it only arrived hours later.

“Warning lights for a certain component lit up as the plane was flying here from Perth. The pilot then decided to return to Perth.

“Back there, the onboard computer system was restarted and everything was rechecked. This took six hours, including getting a new time slot to depart,” Azran said.

In an e-mail sent to The Star, a passenger claimed the plane had encountered hydraulic problems.

Asked if he was disappointed with the performance of the first Airbus A330 that AirAsia-X had acquired, Azran said such delays did not necessarily impact the ability of the plane to fly.

“We must test everything. Even if it is going to take three, six or 24 hours, I would not risk it for the safety of the passengers,” he said.

Azran said affected passengers, both from Kuala Lumpur and Perth, were provided with the necessary assistance such as replacement flights and hotel stays.

AirAsia-X had taken delivery of its first A330 on Friday in Toulouse, France. The delivery of the second A330 is expected in mid-December.

Yesterday was AirAsia-X’s first anniversary of commercial service.

source :- http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?f...7458&sec=nation