Cathay Pacific Airways may have to modify or replace engines on almost two-thirds of its Boeing 747s after it emerged turbine blade failures threatened to cause engines to shut down in flight.
UK engine manufacturers Rolls-Royce told the airline evidence questioned the reliability of the RB211 engine used on Boeing 747-400s - the aircraft which makes up 19 of Cathay's 33-strong 747 fleet.
Both companies insist it is very unlikely the fault, which stops burned fuel driving engines, would shut down more than one of the $87 million engines while airborne. Rolls-Royce refused to reveal the total number of mid-air failures.
Boeing 747s, the world's most widely used long-haul aircraft, are designed to keep flying on a single engine.
The two firms are holding discussions to determine how to rectify the problem.
Cathay Pacific corporate communications manager Lucy Parker said the number of planes affected by the fault was not yet known.
