Cathay Pacific’s engineering team have thoroughly inspected the fleet of operational A350 aircraft within 24 hours. In total, they have identified 15 aircraft with affected engine components that require replacement and three have already gone through successful repairs.
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The remaining aircraft will continue to be out of service until they have been repaired and cleared for operation. CX expects that all affected aircraft will resume operations by Saturday (7 September).
Following the in-flight return on 2nd September, Cathay Pacific identified an engine component failure in the A350-1000 aircraft involved. “We immediately brought this issue to the attention of the aircraft and engine manufacturers as well as our regulators. As a precautionary measure, a fleet-wide inspection of our A350 aircraft was initiated immediately.”
For today (3 September), there will be no further cancellations beyond those already announced. All impacted customers have been informed and provided with alternative travel options.
Looking ahead to tomorrow (4 September), Cathay expects to cancel 10 additional regional return flights, while long-haul services should not be affected. For the remaining cancellations up to Saturday (7 September), CX will provide further details by 2:00pm tomorrow.
Rolls-Royce statement on flight CX383:
Rolls-Royce notes the recent media coverage relating to Cathay Pacific flight CX383 from Hong Kong to Zurich and confirms that the aircraft was powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
Rolls-Royce also notes that an investigation has been launched by the relevant authorities in Hong Kong under ICAO Annex 13, which restricts Rolls-Royce from commenting on the investigation. It is committed to working closely with the airline, aircraft manufacturer and the relevant authorities to support their efforts.
In the meantime, Rolls-Royce notes the airline’s statements that it has launched a precautionary inspection of its fleet; and also that, to the extent that any components need replacing, spare parts have been secured and the replacement can be completed whilst the engine is on-wing.
As well as providing support and guidance to Cathay Pacific, Rolls-Royce will also keep other airlines that operate Trent XWB-97 engines fully informed of any relevant developments as appropriate.
The following flights have been cancelled:
Monday 2 September
Hong Kong to Sydney: CX 139
Sydney to Hong Kong: CX 138
Hong Kong to Singapore: CX 735 / CX 711
Tuesday 3 September
Hong Kong to Bangkok: CX 705 / CX 717 / CX 755
Bangkok to Hong Kong: CX 750 / CX 754 / CX 712
Bangkok to Singapore: CX 717
Singapore to Bangkok: CX 712
Hong Kong to Singapore: CX 659 / CX 691 / CX 759 / CX 739 / CX 735 / CX 711 / CX 715
Singapore to Hong Kong: CX 690 / CX 734 / CX 716 / CX 692 / CX 710 / CX 658
Hong Kong to Tokyo (Narita): CX 524 / CX 526 / CX 500
Tokyo (Narita) to Hong Kong: CX 527 / CX501 / CX 509
Hong Kong to Osaka(Kansai): CX 596 / CX 502
Osaka (Kansai) to Hong Kong: CX 595
Hong Kong to Taipei: CX 464
Taipei to Hong Kong: CX 469
Wednesday 4 September
Hong Kong to Tokyo (Narita): CX 524
Tokyo (Narita) to Hong Kong: CX 509
Hong Kong to Osaka(Kansai): CX 566
Osaka (Kansai) to Hong Kong: CX 597 / CX 503
Hong Kong to Taipei: CX 464 / CX 466 / CX 494
Taipei to Hong Kong: CX 469 / CX 461 / CX 495
Hong Kong to Singapore: CX 659
Singapore to Hong Kong: CX 714 / CX 710 / CX 658 / CX 692
Hong Kong to Bangkok: CX 705
Bangkok to Hong Kong: CX 750
Hong Kong to Beijing: CX 332
Beijing to Hong Kong: CX 331
Hong Kong to Shanghai(Pudong): CX 368 / CX 360
Shanghai (Pudong) to Hong Kong: CX 367 / CX 369
Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur: CX 723
Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong: CX 722
Hong Kong to Kaohsiung: CX 432
Kaohsiung to Hong Kong: CX 431
Hong Kong to Manila: CX 919
Manila to Hong Kong: CX 918
Hong Kong to Seoul (Incheon): CX 416
Thursday 5 September
Seoul (Incheon) to Hong Kong: CX 417