The Hong Kong-based carrier was forced to cancel dozens of flights earlier this week after a fleet-wide inspection identified 15 aircraft with faulty engine components.

The inspection was instigated after a flight from Hong Kong to Zurich had to turn around owing to an “engine component failure”.

In a statement published on Wednesday (4 September), the airline said the fleet will resume operations by Saturday (7 September).

However, another 11 return flights will be cancelled over the next three days – bringing the total number of cancelled return services to 45. "Cathay Pacific does not anticipate any further cancellations will be required,” a spokesperson said. 

Cathay’s chief operations and service delivery officer Alex McGowan highlighted the challenges the issues had posed for the airline.

“This was a significant situation for Cathay to manage as the engine component failure was the first of its type to occur on any A350 aircraft anywhere in the world,” he explained, adding: “I would also like to extend my apology to customers whose travel plans were affected by this incident.

"At Cathay, the safety of our customers and our people guides every decision we make."