Cathay Pacific engine problems cause dozens of flights to be cancelled this week

Cathay Pacific cancelled dozens of flights this week after an engine problem forced a Zurich-bound flight to return to a Hong Kong airport, according to media reports.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has cancelled nearly 70 flights since Monday, the BBC reported.

The airline has inspected its 48 Airbus A350s and found 15 aircraft with faulty parts that need to be replaced, the BBC reported. The engines were made by Rolls-Royce.

Rolls-Royce has confirmed that it manufactured the Trent XWB-97 engines that were on board Cathay Pacific flight CX383 from Hong Kong to Zurich. The company said it has obtained spare parts that can be used in the replacement process.

Rolls-Royce added that an investigation had been launched by the relevant authorities in Hong Kong and that it would work closely with Cathay Pacific, aircraft manufacturer Airbus and the relevant authorities. It also plans to update other airlines that use its Trent XWB-97 engines.

According to the BBC, Cathay Pacific expects flight disruptions to last until at least Saturday.