Saturday, September 14, 2024 Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, has grounded a significant portion of its Airbus A350-1000 fleet and canceled numerous flights between Hong Kong and Sydney, Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Bangkok, and Singapore. This happened following an in-flight engine component failure. The incident occurred on Monday September 9 when flight CX383 from Hong Kong to Zurich experienced a problem several minutes after take-off.
The aircraft performed two wide circles and dumped fuel over the sea before returning safely to Hong Kong. Upon inspection, Cathay Pacific identified an engine component failure in the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines powering the aircraft. Rolls-Royce has confirmed that an investigation is underway by relevant authorities.
The airline subsequently inspected its entire fleet of 18 A350-1000 planes. Fifteen aircraft were found to have components that required replacement. Rolls-Royce has assured that necessary spare parts are available and the replacements can be completed without removing the engines from the aircraft.
Impact on Flights and Travel The grounding of the A350-1000 fleet has resulted in significant flight cancellations, particularly on routes between Hong Kong and Sydney, Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Bangkok, and Singapore. Cathay Pacific has indicated that the number of cancellations is expected to decrease in the coming days as repairs are completed. Impact on Tourism The flight cancellations may have a temporary impact on tourism to and from Hong Kong.
Travelers planning to visit Hong Kong during this period may experience delays or changes in their itineraries. It is advisable to check with Cathay Pacific or their travel agent for the latest updates on flight status and alternative arrangements. Safety as Top Priority Cathay Pacific has emphasized that the safety of its customers and employees is paramount.
The airline has apologized for the inconvenience caused and appreciates the patience and understanding of its passengers. Ongoing Investigation and Support Rolls-Royce is working closely with Cathay Pacific, the aircraft manufacturer, and relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the engine component failure and provide necessary support. The company has also committed to keeping other airlines operating the same engines informed of any developments.
As the investigation progresses, further updates on the situation and the timeline for returning the grounded aircraft to service are expected. Travelers are advised to stay updated with the latest information from Cathay Pacific and their travel agents..
