Some Jetstar passengers travelling on a Brisbane to Sydney flight were shocked to find out the budget airline’s solution to a hole in an aircraft about to take off.

One of the passengers, former Liberal Party staffer Barclay McGain who now works for the Institute of Public Affairs, captured the moment where an airport staff was seen applying thick grey tape to fix the hole in a photo.

'Our Jetstar flight has been delayed after the airport staff were tasked with patching up a literal hole in the aircraft before take-off,' McGain wrote.

'Maybe if they spent more time working on the safety of their aircraft instead of drafting the lengthy Welcome to Country, things would be different.'

He also added that, despite the plane safely making its way to Sydney, the passengers were not provided with any assurance by the cabin crew.

'There was quite a bit of turbulence and people were concerned,' he said. 'I felt like the air hostesses didn't have an idea, or if they did, they were not relaying it to us.'

Jetstar passengers were shocked when they discovered the airline’s solution to a hole in their boarding aircraft. Image source: Facebook/Barclay McGain (left), Jetstar Australia (right).

McGain vowed never to use the discount airline again and will only fly with another discount airline.

'Strongly considering walking to Sydney at this point. From now on, it's give me Rex or give me death,' McGain added.

Aviation experts and Jetstar have since clarified that the material used by the engineers was aviation-grade speed tape, an adhesive commonly used to make minor repairs on aircraft that can withstand jet-like speeds and temperatures from -54C to 149C.

The aviation expert said it was 'more than safe' for minor repairs of non-load-bearing airframe structures.

'If the aircraft was technically un-airworthy, it would have been grounded right there and then,' they wrote.

So, does this mean it’s safe to fly with Jetstar?

Despite the shock from the sight of the tape, Jetstar has said that all repairs were approved by Airbus and aviation authorities before take-off.

'Aluminum high-speed tape does not pose any safety risk and is used by airlines all over the world to do temporary, minor repairs on non-structural aircraft parts,' a spokesperson said.

'In this instance, the tape was applied to a panel on one of the aircraft's doors and was approved by Airbus, as well as aviation safety regulators.’

'Our aircraft are always assessed by engineers before flights to ensure they are safe to operate.’

Jetstar also noted how the repair could have been communicated to ease anxieties.

'We're sorry to hear these customers had a negative experience and appreciate their feedback on how we can improve our communications in these sorts of situations,' the spokesperson added.

Key Takeaways

• Passengers on a Jetstar flight from Brisbane to Sydney witnessed airport staff using what appeared to be tape to cover plane damage before take-off.
• The airline and aviation experts clarified that it was aviation-grade speed tape, an adhesive commonly used for minor repairs on aircraft.
• The incident sparked concern and negative feedback from passengers, especially as they claimed the airline staff did not address their worries.
• Jetstar responded by assuring the public of the aircraft's safety. They stated that such repairs were approved by Airbus and aviation authorities and did not pose any risk.

Members, have you experienced something similar? How was your experience flying with Jetstar? Share your experience with us in the comments below!

 

[Tervueren]

Good Grief this looks frightening!

 

[Emmy Im12]

Some Jetstar passengers travelling on a Brisbane to Sydney flight were shocked to find out the budget airline’s solution to a hole in an aircraft about to take off.

One of the passengers, former Liberal Party staffer Barclay McGain who now works for the Institute of Public Affairs, captured the moment where an airport staff was seen applying thick grey tape to fix the hole in a photo.

'Our Jetstar flight has been delayed after the airport staff were tasked with patching up a literal hole in the aircraft before take-off,' McGain wrote.

'Maybe if they spent more time working on the safety of their aircraft instead of drafting the lengthy Welcome to Country, things would be different.'

He also added that, despite the plane safely making its way to Sydney, the passengers were not provided with any assurance by the cabin crew.

'There was quite a bit of turbulence and people were concerned,' he said. 'I felt like the air hostesses didn't have an idea, or if they did, they were not relaying it to us.'

View attachment 28146

Jetstar passengers were shocked when they discovered the airline’s solution to a hole in their boarding aircraft. Image source: Facebook/Barclay McGain (left), Jetstar Australia (right).

McGain vowed never to use the discount airline again and will only fly with another discount airline.

'Strongly considering walking to Sydney at this point. From now on, it's give me Rex or give me death,' McGain added.

Aviation experts and Jetstar have since clarified that the material used by the engineers was aviation-grade speed tape, an adhesive commonly used to make minor repairs on aircraft that can withstand jet-like speeds and temperatures from -54C to 149C.

The aviation expert said it was 'more than safe' for minor repairs of non-load-bearing airframe structures.

'If the aircraft was technically un-airworthy, it would have been grounded right there and then,' they wrote.

So, does this mean it’s safe to fly with Jetstar?

Despite the shock from the sight of the tape, Jetstar has said that all repairs were approved by Airbus and aviation authorities before take-off.

'Aluminum high-speed tape does not pose any safety risk and is used by airlines all over the world to do temporary, minor repairs on non-structural aircraft parts,' a spokesperson said.

'In this instance, the tape was applied to a panel on one of the aircraft's doors and was approved by Airbus, as well as aviation safety regulators.’

'Our aircraft are always assessed by engineers before flights to ensure they are safe to operate.’

Jetstar also noted how the repair could have been communicated to ease anxieties.

'We're sorry to hear these customers had a negative experience and appreciate their feedback on how we can improve our communications in these sorts of situations,' the spokesperson added.

Key Takeaways

• Passengers on a Jetstar flight from Brisbane to Sydney witnessed airport staff using what appeared to be tape to cover plane damage before take-off.
• The airline and aviation experts clarified that it was aviation-grade speed tape, an adhesive commonly used for minor repairs on aircraft.
• The incident sparked concern and negative feedback from passengers, especially as they claimed the airline staff did not address their worries.
• Jetstar responded by assuring the public of the aircraft's safety. They stated that such repairs were approved by Airbus and aviation authorities and did not pose any risk.

Members, have you experienced something similar? How was your experience flying with Jetstar? Share your experience with us in the comments below!

What the!!??

 

[Ronloby]

Happens all the time regardless of the airline. It is an applied safety issue approved by aviation safety people around the world. Get over it!

 

[Bellclare]

Since when have there been doors in aircraft where the wing attaches to the body of the plane? Looks like the door ABOVE the mend dropped down & made a hole in the fusilage below it.

 

[Mikeyboy2012]

Some Jetstar passengers travelling on a Brisbane to Sydney flight were shocked to find out the budget airline’s solution to a hole in an aircraft about to take off.

One of the passengers, former Liberal Party staffer Barclay McGain who now works for the Institute of Public Affairs, captured the moment where an airport staff was seen applying thick grey tape to fix the hole in a photo.

'Our Jetstar flight has been delayed after the airport staff were tasked with patching up a literal hole in the aircraft before take-off,' McGain wrote.

'Maybe if they spent more time working on the safety of their aircraft instead of drafting the lengthy Welcome to Country, things would be different.'

He also added that, despite the plane safely making its way to Sydney, the passengers were not provided with any assurance by the cabin crew.

'There was quite a bit of turbulence and people were concerned,' he said. 'I felt like the air hostesses didn't have an idea, or if they did, they were not relaying it to us.'

View attachment 28146

Jetstar passengers were shocked when they discovered the airline’s solution to a hole in their boarding aircraft. Image source: Facebook/Barclay McGain (left), Jetstar Australia (right).

McGain vowed never to use the discount airline again and will only fly with another discount airline.

'Strongly considering walking to Sydney at this point. From now on, it's give me Rex or give me death,' McGain added.

Aviation experts and Jetstar have since clarified that the material used by the engineers was aviation-grade speed tape, an adhesive commonly used to make minor repairs on aircraft that can withstand jet-like speeds and temperatures from -54C to 149C.

The aviation expert said it was 'more than safe' for minor repairs of non-load-bearing airframe structures.

'If the aircraft was technically un-airworthy, it would have been grounded right there and then,' they wrote.

So, does this mean it’s safe to fly with Jetstar?

Despite the shock from the sight of the tape, Jetstar has said that all repairs were approved by Airbus and aviation authorities before take-off.

'Aluminum high-speed tape does not pose any safety risk and is used by airlines all over the world to do temporary, minor repairs on non-structural aircraft parts,' a spokesperson said.

'In this instance, the tape was applied to a panel on one of the aircraft's doors and was approved by Airbus, as well as aviation safety regulators.’

'Our aircraft are always assessed by engineers before flights to ensure they are safe to operate.’

Jetstar also noted how the repair could have been communicated to ease anxieties.

'We're sorry to hear these customers had a negative experience and appreciate their feedback on how we can improve our communications in these sorts of situations,' the spokesperson added.

Key Takeaways

• Passengers on a Jetstar flight from Brisbane to Sydney witnessed airport staff using what appeared to be tape to cover plane damage before take-off.
• The airline and aviation experts clarified that it was aviation-grade speed tape, an adhesive commonly used for minor repairs on aircraft.
• The incident sparked concern and negative feedback from passengers, especially as they claimed the airline staff did not address their worries.
• Jetstar responded by assuring the public of the aircraft's safety. They stated that such repairs were approved by Airbus and aviation authorities and did not pose any risk.

Members, have you experienced something similar? How was your experience flying with Jetstar? Share your experience with us in the comments below!

I saw the same thing years ago when a Tigers Air engineer used duct tape on a wing repair at Gold Coast Airport. He was flown in from Sydney to make the repair. We were waiting hours for our plane to be repaired before we could board.

The plane subsequently crashed and we were all killed. We're much better now though