Airlines alert over faulty fuel pumps

British airlines have been ordered to inspect their planes after US manufacturer Boeing issued a worldwide alert over a potentially faulty fuel pump that could cause an explosion.

Nearly 1,500 American jets are to be checked amid fears that wiring on pumps placed too near a rotor could chafe, producing sparks and igniting fumes from highly flammable aircraft fuel. The devices, which are located in the central fuel tank under the fuselage and also in wing tanks, are made by Hydro-Aire Inc in California and were installed on Boeing 737s, 747s and 757s in January and April.

No serious incidents have been reported so far, but British low-cost airline easyJet was one of three carriers to raise the alarm. The airline, which returned a pump from one of its 737-700s to the manufacturers last month after a pilot complained of low pressure in the tank, today said it was complying fully with Boeing's safety directive.

But a spokesman said that it was not yet clear whether the problem was connected. "We have not received any confirmation from the pump manufacturer that it's particularly related to this issue," he said. "Until we hear from a competent authority, we can't comment further."

Other UK airlines said they had received the advice, but British Airways and Virgin Atlantic said their planes did not use the device. A BMI British Midland spokeswoman said: "It hasn't affected our fleet at all. No one need be concerned."

The Civil Aviation Authority, which oversees the airline industry in the UK, said the air worthiness directive was automatically applicable to all operators worldwide. "They will all have to comply with this directive," said a spokesman. "I don't know how many British operators have this fuel pump. It would be their responsibility to check. The checks have to be carried out within four days. If there had been an immediate problem it would have been before the next flight."

Further directives will be issued instructing carriers either to repair or replace any faulty pumps. For now, airlines are being ordered to keep enough fuel in tanks to cover the devices even when the planes bank or encounter turbulence.