Cathay criticised for failure to come clean on tainted water amid concerns other airlines are at risk
Cathay Pacific faces criticism for lack of transparency over problems on its planes, and expert says other carriers could also be at risk
Cathay Pacific was facing criticism yesterday for not being forthcoming with details of a tainted water problem, as it declined to disclose which aircraft and passengers were affected.
Water samples collected from the tanks of 14 Cathay aircraft between June 10 and 18 were found to be unsatisfactory. Coliform bacteria, a commonly used indicator of hygiene, was detected at a level from less than 10 to 90 units per 100 millilitres of water.
An aviation expert said that as the source of contamination remained unknown, aircraft of other airlines could also be at risk.
The Health Department said all 14 affected aircraft would be disinfected after returning to Hong Kong by today.
"Other airlines might be at risk, too," said Dr Eric Wong Tsun-tat, an aviation expert at Polytechnic University. "As the source of contamination has not been found yet, maintenance and service providers need to identify the root causes."
Each component of an aircraft carries an expiry date. Wong said if expired components were still in use, bacteria could grow.