Cathay Pacific Grounds Fifteen A350 Jets for Engine Part Replacements

3 months ago Editor

Cathay Pacific grounds 15 A350 jets for engine part replacements after an in-flight failure, with all affected planes expected to return to service by Saturday.

Cathay Pacific Airways has undertaken a full inspection of its Airbus A350 fleet following an in-flight engine part failure. The Hong Kong-based airline identified 15 aircraft that required component replacements. Of the 48 Rolls-Royce-powered A350s inspected, three have already been successfully repaired. The remaining aircraft are expected to return to service by Saturday, following the disruption that led to the cancellation of at least 34 round-trip flights.

The incident involved a fuel nozzle issue within the Rolls-Royce XWB-97 engine on one of Cathay Pacific’s A350-1000 jets. While other airlines operating similar aircraft have not been instructed to conduct inspections, Cathay Pacific took the precautionary step of also inspecting its A350-900s. The airline has secured the necessary spare parts and is working closely with Rolls-Royce and Airbus to resolve the issue.

Cathay Pacific has not disclosed which specific engine component failed, but emphasized that this is the first occurrence of such a failure on any A350 aircraft globally. Despite the disruption, the majority of A350 operators, including Japan Airlines and Taiwan’s China Airlines, continue normal operations.

Cathay Pacific’s decision to inspect its entire A350 fleet, including the A350-900 models that were not directly affected by the incident, underscores the airline’s commitment to safety. By taking precautionary steps, the airline aims to prevent further disruptions and ensure the highest level of operational integrity. This proactive approach has been well-received in the industry, setting a strong example for other carriers.

The in-flight failure and subsequent inspections have raised concerns within the aviation industry about the reliability of certain components in the Rolls-Royce XWB-97 engine. While such issues are rare, the incident highlights the importance of rigorous maintenance and timely inspections. The situation is being closely monitored by other airlines that operate similar aircraft, as any further directives from Rolls-Royce could potentially impact global flight operations.