Safety audit grounds US flights

Thousands of flights have been cancelled in the US over the past week as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reviews airline compliance with maintenance and safety requirements.

Midwest Airlines and American Airlines have been the first to ground planes because of a wiring harness issue that came up in the first round of audits carried out last month.

Whistleblower testimony in a House of Representatives hearing last week revealed that Southwest Airlines had flown planes that had not undergone the requisite inspections.

FAA spokeswoman Lynn Tierney commented on the flight cancellations: "We are aware and sympathetic... 100,000 people being stranded is extraordinary.

"But the role is clear, it's a regulator's role and you have to enforce the regulations. We understand the disruption this causes, but [the airlines] had 18 months to complete the work."

The FAA issued a safety order in September 2006 on Boeing MD-80 aircraft following reports of shorted wires, worn-down power cables, and fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer.

The MD-80 aircraft constitute around half of American Airline's fleet and it is thought other airlines are likely to take similar action, cancelling flights and grounding planes.