TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Cathay Pacific Airways (國泰航空), the Hong Kong-based carrier, responded Thursday (April 24) to mounting passenger concerns after a technical malfunction stranded dozens of Taiwanese travelers at Nagoya Chubu Airport in Japan. Company representatives confirmed they provided hotel accommodations for affected passengers and arranged alternative transportation back to Taipei following the incident.
The malfunction occurred Wednesday when maintenance crews worked for more than an hour attempting to address technical issues with the aircraft. According to airline officials, a weight distribution imbalance ultimately required the removal of passenger luggage, despite repeated assurances from both the captain and ground personnel that the operation still complied with Boeing's established safety protocols. The incident, which stemmed from tire integrity and aircraft balance concerns, prompted 54 Taiwanese travelers to refuse boarding the flight.
Some passengers, however, expressed deep dissatisfaction with Cathay Pacific's handling of the situation, taking their grievances to various online platforms. In social media groups frequented by Taiwanese travelers, passengers questioned the fundamental safety of an aircraft that required significant weight reduction through luggage removal. Many criticized the airline for failing to provide meals during the extended delay and inadequately communicating about alternative travel arrangements. Several posts specifically questioned whether the aircraft could have landed safely in Taiwan, where adverse weather conditions were forecast. Cathay Pacific representatives issued formal apologies for the inconvenience. ★
