Airbuses do not need upgrades say Gulf Carriers

Airbus aircraft in the UAE are not likely to suffer malfunctions or anomalies with their pitot tubes (the device used for measuring air speed) similar to those of an Air France A330 due to a difference in make, according to local airlines, reported the Gulf News.

The news comes one week after the Air France A330-200 plunged into the South Atlantic with 228 people on board.

Air France said this week that it was accelerating the replacement of speed monitors on its Airbus aircraft.

"All Emirates' A330-200 aircraft are fitted with Goodrich sensor systems... We have not experienced any issues with our sensor units as described in the media relating to the recent disaster," an Emirates spokesperson said on Monday.

"Emirates is in full compliance with all operating recommendations issued by aircraft manufacturers, as well as with requirements stipulated by international air safety and regulatory authorities. Safety is our top priority."

A spokesman for Etihad Airways said that the make of speed monitor used on the A330s in the Air France fleet is different from those used in the Etihad fleet and so no changes or replacements need to be made.

An Emirates A330-200