An in-flight engine failure that caused a Qantas Airways A380 jumbo jet to make an emergency landing in Singapore earlier Thursday was a serious incident that will require careful study to ensure the planes operate safely, the head of Franco-Dutch carrier Air France-KLM (AF.FR) said Thursday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference to present the Skyteam airline alliance, Pierre-Henri Gourgeon said, however, that he has no concerns about operating the four A380 jets already in service with Air France.

The A380 is produced by European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. NV's (EADS.FR) Airbus arm.

Asked to comment on reports that Air France might consider taking over its Italian partner Alitalia, Gourgeon said such a move "isn't on the agenda today," but that the "spirit" of the agreements under which Air France bought a 25% stake in the Italian carrier at the beginning of 2009 was for there to be a closer relationship between the two carriers at some point in the future.

-By David Pearson, Dow Jones Newswires; +331 4017 1740; david.pearson@dowjones.com
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