Airline Chiefs Dismiss Safety Fears Over A330 Jets

"We are not concerned because it's a different system in our aircraft," he said, adding that Qantas would stick to its scheduled delivery of two more A330-300 planes by the end of the year.

According to the Airbus Web site, total orders for the A330 twin-engine passenger planes so far stood at 956, of which 669 have been delivered. Some 614 jets are operating worldwide — 269 of the larger A330-300 series and 345 of the shorter fuselage A330-200 jets, it said.

India's Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal echoed similar sentiments, saying he was confident of the safety of Jet's 12 A330-200 planes. Eight are operated by Jet, while two are leased out.

"No, I am not concerned. We are OK," he said. "We will be guided by whatever Airbus tells us."

Malaysia Airlines Chief Executive Idris Jala said the carrier has changed the speed sensors on its three A330-200 planes in September last year as recommended by Airbus.

"This plane has very good safety record in the past. Let's not jump the gun, we need to wait for the full analysis," he said.