Cathay Pacific HK-bound flight makes emergency return to Kaohsiung after suspected engine oil leak

A Cathay Pacific flight carrying 200 passengers to Hong Kong was forced to make an emergency return to the airport in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on Sunday morning after the pilot detected a technical issue.

Flight CX449, an Airbus A321neo bound for Hong Kong, departed at 7.45am local time but returned to the airport just over an hour later following the detection of insufficient pressure in the aircraft’s number one engine.

The aircraft touched down safely at 8.49am, according to Taiwanese media reports. The report noted that the investigation revealed the incident was caused by an engine oil leak due to mechanical failure, which triggered the abnormal pressure readings that alerted the flight crew.

All 200 passengers were safely deplaned and rebooked onto alternative Cathay Pacific flights to their destinations.

In response to the disruption, Cathay Pacific deployed a larger aircraft to expedite passenger transfers and provided meal vouchers and refreshments to those affected. The airline said the measures were designed to minimize the impact on travelers’ plans.

The airline emphasized that all decisions were made with safety as top priority and sincerely apologized for any inconvenience caused, thanking customers for their understanding.