EU aviation probe weighs on Rolls-Royce

(Sharecast News) - Shares in Rolls-Royce Holdings came under pressure on Friday, after the European air regulator announced an one-off inspection of the UK firm's Trent XWB-97 engines. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated inspections on the Airbus A350-1000 fleet, which is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.

In particular, it will look at flexible fuel hose connections inside the engines to check for damage, with inspections taking place over the next 30 days. A total of 86 Airbus A350-1000 planes are currently in service worldwide.

EASA said it was a "precautionary measure" following a "serious incident" involving a Cathay Pacific jet earlier this week. On Monday, a long-haul flight to Zurich was forced to return to Hong Kong after an engine problem mid-flight.

Shares in Rolls-Royce were down 2% at 469p as at 0930 BST, having partially recovered from heavier losses earlier in the session.

Cathay is already examining its 48-strong fleet of A350 aircraft following the incident, which reportedly involved an engine fire.

Rolls-Royce said it was working closely with EASA.