Austrian Airlines A320neo remains in London nearly three weeks after tailstrike

An Austrian Airlines Airbus A320neo is still at London Heathrow almost three weeks after its tail touched the runway on landing. Flight OS333, from Vienna-Schwechat to Heathrow, ended with the tailstrike on 19 September, and the return sector was cancelled. Austrian Airlines has confirmed the aircraft involved is the four-year-old A320neo with the registration OE-LZN.

The cause of the tail contact has not been established. Austrian said at the time that staff from Austrian and Swiss Technik would prepare a ferry flight without passengers from London to Vienna, and that it expected to bring the aircraft back "in the coming days". No date was given.

Flight tracking data showed the jet still parked at Heathrow 20 days after the event, and Austrian has now said it remains in London, where a repair specified by the manufacturer Airbus is being carried out. Only after that work is complete can the aircraft be moved to a suitable maintenance provider, according to the airline.

The carrier said the ferry flight will be operated without passengers and by specially trained pilots. Austrian added that it is still assessing where the final repair will be performed and that a decision is expected soon.

The aircraft is the first A320neo delivered to Austrian Airlines, which currently has seven of the type in its fleet.