Cathay Pacific Airways recently announced that it had conducted a thorough inspection of its Airbus A350 fleet following an incident involving the engine on one of its planes. The incident occurred during flight CX383 from Hong Kong to Zurich when a component in the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce engine failed, causing the plane to return to Hong Kong for an emergency landing. While the airline did not specify the exact component that failed, it stated that this was the first such failure of its kind on any A350 aircraft worldwide.
The A350 is a popular twin-aisle long-haul aircraft that comes in two sizes, the A350-900, and the larger A350-1000. Both models are powered by Rolls-Royce engines, with the A350-1000 and A350 freighter using Trent XWB-97 engines. The incident involving the Cathay Pacific flight was related to a problem with a fuel nozzle inside the XWB-97 engine. Following the incident, the airline identified 15 aircraft with similar engine components that require replacement, with three already having undergone repairs.
Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer, stated that the replacement of the components could be done while the engine remained on the plane and expressed its commitment to working closely with Cathay Pacific, Airbus, and relevant authorities to investigate the incident. There are 88 A350-1000 jets currently in operation worldwide, with Qatar Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and other major carriers operating these aircraft. It is unclear if other airlines with A350 fleets are also inspecting their engines.
In response to the incident, Cathay Pacific canceled a number of round-trip flights between Hong Kong and various destinations until the issue is resolved. However, the airline assured that long-haul services would not be affected. Other airlines with A350 aircraft, such as Japan Airlines and China Airlines, have sought more information from Rolls-Royce but have not halted their A350 flights at this time. Qatar Airways, another major A350 operator, stated that the issue has had no impact on its A350-1000 fleet and continues to monitor any developments related to the incident.
Overall, the aviation industry is closely monitoring the situation with the A350 engines to ensure the safety and reliability of these aircraft. While the incident involving the Cathay Pacific flight was concerning, the collaboration between airlines, manufacturers, and authorities is key to identifying and addressing any potential issues with the A350 fleet. Passengers can expect airlines to prioritize safety and conduct necessary inspections and maintenance to mitigate any risks associated with engine components.
