slj
It might well be able to fly on two engines but is the absolute level of safety the same as flying on four engines?
I know it's all been done to death here and elsewhere, but flying on 2 engines isn't the point here.
What IS the point, I believe, is that with one engine out, with a similar level of engine reliability, the 747/A340 is STILL 50% 'safer' than your 777/A330/767 etc etc that everyone is happy to fly over the world's oceans. So what's the point of building 4-engine aircraft in the first place? Is that 4th engine just to get the a/c off the ground? Very possibly!
One famous boss of an aircraft manufacturer was once asked
'Why do you always fly in a/c with 4 engines?'
'Because we don't make any with 5!'.
I'm inclined to GJB's point - conspiracy theories on a wet Bank Holiday. Why not!
Sadly, I find David Learmont's recent pronouncements unhelpful and out of line with safety management thinking. He's done good work in the past but it's time to pack it in, David...
Cheers,
The Odd One