by Tim Hepher
PARIS (Reuters) – Airlines are likely to be told there is no immediate need for comprehensive checks on the Airbus A350-1000, ending days of uncertainty after an engine failure prompted Cathay Pacific to review its fleet, two people familiar with the matter said.
Barring any last-minute changes as investigators examine parts of an A350 that returned to base on Monday, Airbus and engine maker Rolls-Royce are expected to seek to allay safety concerns at their first briefings with the carriers on Thursday.
Airbus declined to comment and referred questions to investigators in Hong Kong, who could not be reached. Rolls-Royce and Cathay Pacific did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
While the position taken suggests the incident is increasingly viewed as isolated, it is too early to rule out other findings or analyses that could eventually require action by other airlines, said the people, who asked not to be identified.
The final decision rests with regulators. It was not immediately clear whether the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had formally endorsed the decision not to recommend action on the fleet, which could lead to delays and downtime.
“We have no further comment to make at this stage as we are still completing our assessment,” an EASA spokesperson said.
( Nicolas Delame)
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