Cathay Pacific Suspends Aircraft Operations Due to Engine Issue.
Cathay Pacific, the flagship airline of Hong Kong, has cancelled a significant number of flights following an incident where a plane traveling from Hong Kong to Zurich had to turn back due to an “engine component failure.” This situation has prompted the airline to conduct inspections on all 48 of its Airbus A350 aircraft.
During these inspections, Cathay Pacific discovered that 15 of its A350s had faulty parts that required replacement. The affected planes are equipped with Trent XWB-97 engines, manufactured by the British engineering company Rolls-Royce.
Since the incident began on Monday, Cathay Pacific has cancelled nearly 70 flights, affecting routes to major destinations such as Sydney, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei. The airline has communicated that these disruptions will persist until at least Saturday.
In a statement, Cathay Pacific emphasized that the safety of its customers and staff is the top priority in all decision-making processes. The airline expressed sincere apologies for the inconvenience and thanked customers for their patience and understanding during this challenging time.
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Rolls-Royce has stated its commitment to collaborating closely with Cathay Pacific, the aircraft manufacturer, and relevant authorities to assist in addressing the issue. The company also mentioned that it will keep other airlines operating the Trent XWB-97 engines informed of any pertinent developments.
Cathay Pacific’s A350 fleet serves various destinations across Europe and North America, highlighting the aircraft’s importance in the airline’s operations. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has indicated that it is monitoring the situation and will take appropriate actions based on the technical investigation’s findings.
Other airlines that operate A350s, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Japan Airlines, have been contacted for comments regarding the ongoing issue. Singapore Airlines has confirmed that it is in communication with Airbus and Rolls-Royce concerning the Trent XWB engine situation.
As the investigation continues, the airline industry is closely watching how this will impact operations and safety protocols moving forward. The situation underscores the critical nature of aircraft maintenance and the importance of swift responses to technical failures.
