HONG KONG- Cathay Pacific (CX) has provided an update on the progress of the Airbus A350 fleet after finding issues with Rolls-Royce (RR) Trent engines.
The Hong Kong-based airline identified the issue after flight CX383 to Zurich (ZRH) returned to Hong Kong (HKG) on September 2.
Cathay Pacific A350 Issues Rectification
Cathay Pacific today (September 3, 2024) reports that maintenance on its A350 fleet is progressing as planned.
The airline’s engineering team completed a thorough inspection of all operational A350 aircraft within 24 hours, identifying 15 planes with engine components needing replacement.
Three aircraft have already been repaired, while the remaining affected planes will stay out of service until repairs are completed and cleared for operation. Cathay Pacific expects all affected aircraft to return to service by Saturday, September 7.
For today, September 3, no additional cancellations are expected beyond those already announced. Cathay Pacific’s teams are actively working to protect cargo scheduled on the impacted flights.
For tomorrow, September 4, the airline anticipates canceling 10 additional regional return flights, but long-haul services are expected to remain unaffected. Customers are advised to check cathaypacific.com or contact their local Cathay Cargo representative for the latest flight updates.
Further details on cancellations for the period up to Saturday, September 7, will be provided by 2:00 PM local time tomorrow. For the latest updates visit the official site here: Progress on A350 Fleet Maintenance and Flight Disruption Updates
Engine Component Failure
The decision to conduct a fleet-wide inspection was made after Cathay Pacific identified an engine component failure during an in-flight return on September 2.
The airline immediately informed the aircraft and engine manufacturers, as well as relevant regulators, and initiated a precautionary inspection of all A350 aircraft.
Cathay Pacific emphasizes that safety remains its top priority, guiding all operational decisions. The airline apologizes for any inconvenience caused and appreciates its customers’ patience and understanding.
Cathay Pacific’s A350 fleet consists of 18 A350-1000s equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and 30 A350-900s powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines.
The affected A350-1000 aircraft, registered as B-LXI, entered service with Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific in February 2019. It has accumulated 22,036 flight hours across 2,839 cycles.
The A350, a key competitor to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and 777 models, forms a crucial part of Cathay’s long-haul fleet. The aircraft utilizes advanced composite materials for enhanced efficiency and comes in two variants: the -900 and the larger -1000.
Earlier on August 31, 2024, a Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) flight bound for Hong Kong (HKG) experienced a critical engine failure during takeoff at Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) in Taiwan. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, forcing the Airbus A330-300 to abort its departure.
What are your thoughts on Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 engine issues? Let us know in the comment section below.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.
The post Cathay Pacific Repairs Three out of 15 A350 having Issues appeared first on Aviation A2Z.