Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s leading airline, has canceled nearly 70 flights following an “engine component failure” on a plane en route from Hong Kong to Zurich. The disruption affects flights to major destinations including Sydney, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei.
The airline reported that after an inspection of all 48 Airbus A350 aircraft in its fleet, 15 were found to have faulty parts requiring replacement. The engines in question, the Trent XWB-97, are produced by British engineering firm Rolls-Royce.
The cancellations began on Monday and are expected to persist until at least Saturday. Cathay Pacific emphasized that passenger safety remains its top priority and apologized for the inconvenience caused, thanking customers for their patience and understanding.
Rolls-Royce stated that it is working closely with Cathay Pacific, Airbus, and relevant authorities to address the issue and will keep other operators of Trent XWB-97 engines informed of any developments.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary actions based on the ongoing technical investigation.
Cathay Pacific’s A350s, which have been in service since 2016, also serve routes across Europe and North America. Other airlines operating A350s include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Japan Airlines. The BBC has reached out to these airlines for comment.
This year, Rolls-Royce has announced plans to invest significantly in enhancing its engine range, including the Trent XWB-97. Earlier this year, Emirates President Tim Clark expressed concerns regarding the engine’s durability and maintenance costs.
Related Topics:
