Cathay Pacific apologises for axing 48 flights due to engine issues

Cathay Pacific has apologised for cancelling 24 return flights and promised to inspect its A350 fleet due to an engine component failure, which was identified after Zurich-bound CX383 returned to Hong Kong following take-off early on Monday morning.

According to the airline's website, eight of Cathay's nine scheduled flights from Hong Kong to Singapore on Tuesday were cancelled. Other affected flights including flights from Hong Kong to Bangkok, Taipei and Tokyo.

In a statement seen by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Cathay Pacific said it informed both the aircraft and engine manufacturers, as well as its regulators. It also initiated a fleet-wide inspection of its 48 A350 aircraft as a precautionary measure.

Thus far it has identified a number of the same engine components that need to be replaced, while spare parts have been secured and repair work is underway.

“As a result, 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,” the statement reads.

Cathay Pacific has axed 24 return flights operating up until the end of tomorrow and all of the affected customers have been informed and provided with alternate travel arrangements. 

Keith Brown, Cathay director engineering, said: “At Cathay, the safety of our customers and our people guides every decision we make.  Each aircraft is undergoing a rigorous inspection. Upon completion, the aircraft cleared for operation will return to service, while those identified with technical issues will undergo further repair and maintenance work.”

“Meanwhile, we are liaising with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and the aircraft and engine manufacturers. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding,” Brown added. 

Dip in brand sentiments

This has drawn mixed reactions from netizens as media intelligence firm CARMA observed over 2,000 mentions concerning the incident. Among these mentions, 54.1% conveyed a negative sentiment, while merely 4% expressed a positive sentiment.



"Prior to Cathay Pacific’s announcement regarding the inspection, the airline had a 17.6% positive sentiment and a 9.8% negative sentiment. However, there was a slight drop in positive sentiment and a slight increase in negative sentiment after the announcement, resulting in 16.4% positive and 13.1% negative sentiment," CARMA’s HK GM Charles Cheung.

The negative comments mainly focused on safety concerns, Cheung added. "Many netizens, particularly on LIHKG, expressed confusion, questioning if this inspection was linked to a recent incident where a Cathay Pacific flight from Kaohsiung to Hong Kong experienced an engine fire. Concerns also arose about how the airline would manage passengers affected by the cancelled flights."

Conversely, some netizens praised Cathay Pacific for their swift response and proactive measures, commending the decision to cancel flights immediately after identifying the issue, according to Cheung. "However, there is speculation that if the problem is engine-related, it could potentially affect other airlines," he added. 

Don’t miss: Cathay Pacific apologises after toilet door comes off during 16-hour flight

This isn't the first time Cathay has come under spotlight for the wrong reasons. Back in July, Cathay apologised and launched an investigation after a toilet door dislodged during a flight.

This came as two photos had been circulating on social media platform Threads, with captions claiming that "The bathroom door was blown right off within three minutes of takeoff. (起飛三分鐘，廁所門直接噴飛)”, according to HK01.

Cathay said in a statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE previously that a toilet door on the CX840 flight from Hong Kong to New York on 15 July was not functioning properly. The defect is rectified and its engineering team is performing a follow-up investigation.

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