Cathay Pacific Grounds Airbus A350 Fleet for Comprehensive Engine Review

Cathay Pacific Reviews Entire Airbus A350 Fleet Following Engine Failure

Cathay Pacific has placed its entire Airbus A350 fleet under scrutiny following the failure of a critical component in the Rolls-Royce engines. The issue surfaced on September 2, during flight CX383 from Zurich (ZRH) to Hong Kong (HKG), forcing the aircraft to return to Hong Kong due to engine trouble. This marks the first occurrence of such an incident globally on the Airbus A350 model, prompting an in-depth review across the fleet.

Cathay Pacific's fleet of 48 A350 aircraft, consisting of 18 A350-1000s powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and 30 A350-900s equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines, is now undergoing comprehensive inspections. The investigation found that several aircraft required engine component replacements, with spare parts being sourced to begin repairs immediately.

One of the affected planes, an A350-1000 registered B-LXI, has been in service since February 2019 and had accumulated over 22,000 flight hours. Due to the ongoing maintenance, 24 round-trip flights have already been cancelled as of September 3.

Keith Brown, Cathay Pacific's engineering director, assured that the review is being handled meticulously. While the investigation is ongoing, the airline will continue to operate unaffected aircraft, ensuring safety remains the top priority. Aircraft requiring further technical attention will undergo additional repairs.

Cathay Pacific is working closely with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Authority, Airbus, and Rolls-Royce to resolve the issue. Rolls-Royce has yet to respond publicly, while Airbus has referred inquiries to the airline and the engine manufacturer.

The incident has had immediate financial implications, with Rolls-Royce and Airbus seeing a dip in share prices. Rolls-Royce shares dropped by 3.9%, while Airbus shares fell by 1.9%. The A350, a key player in Cathay Pacific’s long-haul operations, competes with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and 777, showcasing advanced efficiency through composite materials. The resolution of this situation will be closely monitored by the aviation industry.

Cathay Pacific's swift response to the engine failure reflects the airline's commitment to safety and operational excellence. With continued cooperation from key aviation bodies, the airline aims to ensure its A350 fleet is back in full service as soon as possible.