Qantas has refuted claims by the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) that overseas maintenance of some of its aircraft was compromising safety.

Qantas Engineering chief David Cox said the wiring issues identified on two of its aircraft, which had been used by the ALAEA to make their case, did not compromise safety. "Our own audit programme identified these issues and, as is normal practice at Qantas with any quality issue. We immediately involved CASA and put in place an inspection and rectification programme," he said.