An Etihad Airways Airbus A350-1000, operating a flight from Chicago to Abu Dhabi, faced serious trouble and had to divert to London due to an engine issue. Originally scheduled to return to Abu Dhabi, the aircraft had already experienced delays and cancellations before its departure on September 28. After being grounded in Chicago for several days, the flight took off under a unique non-commercial code. However, engine trouble interrupted the journey, forcing the crew to divert to London Heathrow.
While the A350-1000 was being ferried from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one of its engines malfunctioned. The aircraft landed safely at Heathrow, where it waited for several hours before continuing its journey to Abu Dhabi. The plane finally arrived at the airline’s hub early on September 29 and soon resumed its regular services.
Despite this incident, Etihad assured passengers that its Airbus A350-1000s do not have the same engine issues seen in similar aircraft operated by other airlines. The company had conducted voluntary inspections on its fleet, which features Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, and reported no problems. This stands in contrast to issues found in Cathay Pacific’s A350s earlier this month, where an engine fire occurred due to damaged fuel components.
Upon reaching Abu Dhabi, the aircraft quickly returned to its commercial schedule, departing for Zurich on September 30. This swift resumption of service suggests that the airline efficiently resolved the engine issue, allowing Etihad to maintain smooth operations. With a fleet of five A350-1000s, this aircraft rejoined service just a day after its unscheduled diversion. This situation underscores Etihad’s commitment to safety and operational resilience. Lastly, don’t forget to visit WentWorld.com and follow our social media channels for the best travel tips and destination guides.
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