British Airways Cuts Flights Due to Rolls-Royce Engine Issues
British Airways, the UK’s flagship carrier, has made significant changes to its flight schedule as it grapples with ongoing issues related to Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The airline is temporarily reducing the number of flights operated by its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet due to a shortage of replacement engine parts.
Currently, six Boeing 787 Dreamliners—approximately 15% of British Airways’ Dreamliner fleet—are grounded. These aircraft were scheduled to operate long-haul routes during the winter season from November 2024 to April 2025. However, the ongoing engine and parts shortages have led to a drastic cut in services, including a halving of flights between London Gatwick and New York, as well as reduced operations to Qatar. Additionally, the reintroduction of Dreamliner flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur has been delayed, with the Heathrow-Kuala Lumpur route postponed until April 2025.
British Airways has confirmed it will suspend its daily Gatwick-JFK service starting December 12, 2024, until the end of March 2025. A spokesperson for the airline expressed regret over the disruption, emphasizing the necessity of the decision due to continued delays in receiving engine parts from Rolls-Royce.
“We’ve taken this action because we do not believe the issue will be resolved quickly, and we want to offer our customers the certainty they deserve for their travel plans,” the spokesperson stated. “We’ve apologized to those affected and are able to offer most a flight the same day with BA or one of our partner airlines.”
The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine has faced recurring technical issues, which have been exacerbated by ongoing supply chain constraints. A Rolls-Royce spokesperson acknowledged these challenges, stating, “We continue to work with British Airways and all our customers to minimize the impact of the limited availability of spares. Unfortunately, this issue is affecting the entire aerospace industry.”
Earlier this year, Rolls-Royce indicated that supply chain disruptions are expected to persist until 2026, underscoring the long-term challenges that airlines may encounter as they seek to maintain service reliability.
As British Airways navigates this complex situation, the airline is focused on minimizing disruptions for its customers and maintaining its commitment to service excellence. With the winter travel season approaching, affected passengers are encouraged to check for updates regarding their flights and available alternatives.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=British+Airways