A problem with a Rolls-Royce engine has forced Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific to cancel 24 return flights.
Eight of Cathay’s nine flights from Hong Kong to Singapore have been cancelled today, along with other services across Asia, as the airline races to inspect its fleet of Airbus A350s, powered by Rolls-Royce engines.
Last night, Cathay said “a number of aircraft will be out of service for several days” while checks are carried out as a “precautionary measure”.
The only Cathay flight left from Hong Kong to Singapore today, at 15:15pm local time, uses a Boeing 777-300 jet.
Three flights to Bangkok, three to Tokyo and one to Taipei have also been scrapped.
Cathay acted after a part failed on one of its A350-1000 widebody planes shortly after take-off from Hong Kong, on a route to Zurich, on Monday. The plane dumped its fuel over the sea before returning safely to Hong Kong, where an engine component failure was identified.
Keith Brown, the Cathay Pacific engineering director, said yesterday: “Each aircraft is undergoing a rigorous inspection. Upon completion, the aircraft cleared for operation will return to service, while those identified with technical issues will undergo further repair and maintenance work.
"Meanwhile, we are liaising with the Hong Kong civil aviation department and the aircraft and engine manufacturers. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding.”
The A350-1000 uses Rolls-Royce’s XWB-97 engine.The problem is suspected to be deformed or degraded fuel lines, Bloomberg reports.
Shares in Rolls-Royce fell by 6.5% on Monday, after news of Cathay’s problems emerged.
Other airlines, though, have not grounded their own A350s; data flight tracking service FlightRadar24 shows other major operators of the A350-1000 and A350-900 planes appear to be flying their aircraft normally on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
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