Business Emerge, September 4: Cathay Pacific Airways has announced that its entire Airbus A350 fleet will be fully operational by Saturday, following urgent repairs to the aircraft’s engine fuel lines. This proactive response comes after an in-flight incident earlier this week, where an engine component failure on an A350-1000 resulted in a fuel dump and an immediate return to Hong Kong.
The incident, which was the first of its kind for any A350 aircraft worldwide, prompted Cathay Pacific to conduct thorough inspections across its fleet. The airline discovered that 15 planes required fuel line repairs and took swift action to ensure the safety of its operations. So far, six A350 aircraft have undergone repairs and have been cleared to resume service. The remaining nine planes are expected to return to operation by the end of the week.
The airline’s fleet of 48 A350 widebody jets had to undergo these repairs, resulting in the cancellation of 45 round trips, predominantly on regional Asian routes. Despite the disruption, Cathay Pacific remains committed to ensuring the highest safety standards for its passengers and crew.
Other airlines operating Airbus A350s in the region have taken note of Cathay Pacific’s findings and are in communication with Rolls-Royce for further guidance. Some have also opted to carry out their own precautionary inspections to ensure the continued safety of their operations.
“This situation was a significant challenge for Cathay Pacific, as it was the first occurrence of this nature on an A350 aircraft globally,” said Alex McGowan, Cathay Pacific’s Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer. The airline has not disclosed which specific Rolls-Royce engine models required repairs but assured that all necessary actions have been taken to prevent future incidents.
The prompt response and resolution highlight Cathay Pacific’s dedication to maintaining operational safety and reliability, reinforcing its reputation as a leading carrier in the aviation industry.