AviationFlights disrupted, aircraft grounded after engine component fault causes Hong Kong flight to abort.

Nozzle trouble for Cathay Pacific

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Cathay Pacific is one of the world’s largest users of the A350-1000 long-haul jet.
Cathay Pacific is one of the world’s largest users of the A350-1000 long-haul jet.

Cathay Pacific services are being disrupted after its entire Airbus A350-1000 fleet was called in for engine inspections after a component failure on one of its aircraft this week.

The airline, one of the world’s largest users of the long-haul jet, said its flight crew identified an engine component failure — believed to involve a fuel nozzle — on flight CX383 from Hong Kong to Zurich on Monday. The plane later returned to Hong Kong.

Cathay has identified similar technical issues with other A350-1000 aircraft in its fleet and is inspecting and correcting each aircraft — which are powered by Rolls Royce XWB engines — before returning them to service.

The carrier cancelled at least 34 return flights up to Wednesday because of the inspection, most of them regional flights.

“A number of aircraft will be out of service for several days while this process is being completed and Cathay Pacific’s operating schedules will be affected,” Cathay said in a statement.

“We are committed to minimising any disruption for our customers and will keep them informed with the latest updates, proactively providing alternative travel arrangements when necessary.”

Cathay Pacific said it expects to resume full operations by Saturday.

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