CX105 HKG-MEL diverted to DRW

[pn1]

Today I departed HKG on CX105. Flight departed more or less on time around 0010. Plane was B-LRJ Airbus A350-900.

Around 0730 passing over Katherine or thereabouts I noticed something “different” but didn’t think anymore about it.

A few minutes later the captain announced one of the engines had developed a fault and we had to backtrack to Darwin.

Which we did and our unscheduled (not emergency) landing was met with fire and other vehicles with lights flashing.

A good and passengers calm. The captain announced he was waiting advice from “the company”.

After about 90 minutes during which breakfast was served we were advised that the plane was defective and everyone had to disembark with their hand luggage.

It was further announced that all passengers would be required to remain in the transit lounge indefinitely.

Under no circumstances would anyone be allowed to leave the transit lounge due to customs and immigration requirements.

A B777 replacement aircraft would arrive from Sydney “in the fullness of time”. In the meantime, each passenger could spend up to $30 (only in one transaction) at the transit lounge cafe.

A very strict and thorough security examination was made of each passenger entering the transit lounge.

I write this nearly eight hours after arriving in the transit lounge. No announcement whatsoever about the replacement aircraft but passengers have remained calm and in good spirits.

A fellow passenger took it upon himself to phone CX on HKG and was advised the replacement aircraft would depart at 2045 with an anticipated MELBOURNE arrival of 0125 (more than 14 hours late).

I wonder how common such delays are in Australia? I’ve done much flying in my retirement with few real disruptions.

Everyone seemed satisfied with the generous $30 offer considering airport prices.

For my partner and I, presumably a Uber trip home from MEL considering the first 901 bus doesn’t depart until 0531 on. Saturday.

We’d departed Nagoya at 1640 yesterday on CX 539, the milk run to Hong Kong via Taipei.

 

[Himeno]

Issues like this come up commonly when an aircraft has to divert and they land at a port that is not normally served by that airline.

They would need to work out what the issue with the aircraft is, and if it isn't readily fixable, find another aircraft to 'rescue' the passengers. This can be hard depending on the location of the port and the location of other aircraft. Any aircraft redirected to pick up the displaced passengers is going to cause another flight to be delayed or cancelled.
The airline then has to round up a crew for the new aircraft and fly to the off line port.

In this case, it looks like CX104, the return flight for the aircraft stuck in DRW, has been delayed for 27 hours and CX100 from SYD has been diverted to DRW to pick up the CX105 pax. They have likely moved the CX100 pax for SYD-HKG to CX138 and QF117.

 

[AIRwin]

Cathay Pacific plane from Hong Kong to Melbourne is forced to land in Darwin after 'engine shuts down'

 

[fairbasa]

Today I departed HKG on CX105. Flight departed more or less on time around 0010. Plane was B-LRJ Airbus A350-900.

Around 0730 passing over Katherine or thereabouts I noticed something “different” but didn’t think anymore about it.

A few minutes later the captain announced one of the engines had developed a fault and we had to backtrack to Darwin.

Which we did and our unscheduled (not emergency) landing was met with fire and other vehicles with lights flashing.

A good and passengers calm. The captain announced he was waiting advice from “the company”.

After about 90 minutes during which breakfast was served we were advised that the plane was defective and everyone had to disembark with their hand luggage.

It was further announced that all passengers would be required to remain in the transit lounge indefinitely.

Under no circumstances would anyone be allowed to leave the transit lounge due to customs and immigration requirements.

A B777 replacement aircraft would arrive from Sydney “in the fullness of time”. In the meantime, each passenger could spend up to $30 (only in one transaction) at the transit lounge cafe.

A very strict and thorough security examination was made of each passenger entering the transit lounge.

I write this nearly eight hours after arriving in the transit lounge. No announcement whatsoever about the replacement aircraft but passengers have remained calm and in good spirits.

A fellow passenger took it upon himself to phone CX on HKG and was advised the replacement aircraft would depart at 2045 with an anticipated MELBOURNE arrival of 0125 (more than 14 hours late).

I wonder how common such delays are in Australia? I’ve done much flying in my retirement with few real disruptions.

Everyone seemed satisfied with the generous $30 offer considering airport prices.

For my partner and I, presumably a Uber trip home from MEL considering the first 901 bus doesn’t depart until 0531 on. Saturday.

We’d departed Nagoya at 1640 yesterday on CX 539, the milk run to Hong Kong via Taipei.

Really unfortunate situation. $30 won't go very far with DRW pricing!

Hopefully you got to enjoy observing some of the local and foreign military aircraft participating in Diamond Storm at least?

 

[DC3]

$30. How sad.

 

[FL360]

I am actually surprised that CX has so many vouchers hidden on a plane in preparation for some situation like this... as for $30, first is for budget, secondly if the amount is too high everything in the transit lounge could be sold out ! and not enough to share around.

this is hard for CX, they don't have the engineering staff there (even contractors), and a degree of remote diagnostics has to be done, given the A350 is quite new in the industry too ...

 

[pn1]

The "voucher" system was more of a signature board at the "tea stall". I did notice additional supplies being brought in after a few hours. Additionally, I asked CX (in writing) if they'd make a "one off "addition" to my frequent flyer points balance as a "goodwill gesture" and I considered the response to be quite satisfactory.

 

[woodborer]

Apparently was a leaking connection on a fuel vent valve.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi pn1 I hope you don’t mind my questions. Did they pay for the Uber home and how many points did you receive?

I recall being stuck in JKT on a u/s 330 a few years ago and the compensation was very generous. I did have higher airline status. You didn’t mention your class of travel. I hope J class and Diamond pax or similar received more than $30!

Your satisfaction is their main concern corporately apart from the safety aspects which were by all accounts well managed.