Aviation

Cathay Pacific Grounds entire A350 Fleet Over Engine Defect, Cancels Multiple Flights

Cathay Pacific Grounds A350 Fleet Over Engine Defect, Cancels Multiple Flights

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways has taken the unprecedented step of grounding its entire Airbus A350 fleet following the in-flight failure of an engine component on one of its aircraft.

The incident occurred on a flight from Hong Kong to Zurich, where an a350-1000 model was forced to return to Hong Kong on Monday morning due to the engine issue. In response to the incident, Cathay Pacific swiftly inspected all 48 of its Rolls-Royce-powered A350 aircraft, uncovering that 15 of them required component replacements.

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The airline confirmed that three of these aircraft had already undergone successful repairs. Despite the urgency of the situation, Cathay Pacific has stated that it expects all affected jets to return to service by Saturday.

As a result of these inspections and necessary repairs, Cathay Pacific has had to cancel at least 34 round-trip flights, affecting routes to major destinations including Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, and Osaka. This disruption has caused significant inconvenience to passengers and highlights the airline’s commitment to safety and precaution.

The airline revealed that the engine component failure identified on the Zurich-bound flight was the first of its kind to occur on any a350 size comparison aircraft worldwide. This led to a precautionary fleet-wide inspection, which confirmed the need for immediate component replacements on multiple aircraft. Each of the grounded planes is undergoing rigorous inspection and maintenance, with cleared aircraft returning to service as repairs are completed.

Cathay Pacific, one of the largest operators of the A350, has been working closely with Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer, and relevant authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly. Rolls-Royce has expressed its commitment to supporting the investigation and ensuring the safety and reliability of the engines.

Aviation

Airbus and French Aerospace Firms Growing Exports from India

In a significant move to bolster its supply chain, European aerospace giant Airbus has announced plans to ramp up component sourcing from India, tapping into the country’s vast opportunities.

During a press briefing in New Delhi on October 7, CEO Guillaume Faury emphasized the strategic importance of India within the Airbus supply chain, highlighting the company’s robust network of over 100 suppliers in the region.

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Faury, who also serves as Chairman of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS), noted that there are abundant prospects for collaboration between Indian and French aerospace companies. Leading a high-level delegation from GIFAS, comprising more than 60 companies and over 100 representatives, Faury aims to foster deeper partnerships and enhance business opportunities between India and France.

“We will continue to grow our sourcing of components,” Faury stated, forecasting a doubling of component sourcing approximately every five years over the next decade. This stable growth trajectory underscores Airbus’s commitment to deepening its ties with India.

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Currently, Airbus holds an impressive order book of around 8,600 aircraft and anticipates producing about 770 planes this year. This ambitious production plan aligns with the expected surge in India’s domestic air passenger traffic, projected to reach 300 million by 2030, according to Union Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.

During the briefing, Naidu also highlighted the substantial investments being made to develop India’s airport infrastructure, with $11 billion allocated for this purpose. The government plans to develop 200 additional airports over the next 20 to 25 years, significantly expanding the current count of 157 airports, heliports, and waterdromes. By the end of 2025, the number of operational airports is expected to reach 200.

“The potential for partnership between India and France is immense,” Naidu remarked, further reinforcing the collaborative spirit that Airbus and French aerospace firms seek to cultivate in India.