British Airways Cuts 787 Flights Amid Engine Delays

British Airways is once again trimming its schedules as persistent supply chain issues with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines continue to ground a portion of its Boeing 787 fleet. In a recent interview with Aviation Week, BA’s Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff, emphasized that the ongoing uncertainty around engine availability has forced the airline to adopt a more cautious approach in its scheduling strategy.

BA currently operates a total of 41 Boeing 787 aircraft, which includes twelve 787-8s, eighteen 787-9s, and eleven 787-10s. However, fleet data from ch-aviation reveals that several of these aircraft remain out of service—four 787-8s, two 787-9s, and one 787-10—primarily due to the shortage of engines. Chernoff noted that four of the grounded aircraft are directly affected by these supply issues, and the airline is still uncertain about when replacements will be available.

“It’s hard to get certainty,” Chernoff explained. “We’re developing plans for the 2025/26 winter season both with and without those aircraft. It’s possible we get some of them back over the summer, but we’ve learned that we need to give customers certainty. I’d rather not have them in the schedule, and if they become available we’ll see if we can fly them.”

This latest round of schedule cuts follows a series of operational adjustments announced over the past few months. In October 2024, ch-aviation reported that British Airways delayed the relaunch of its Kuala Lumpur International service and reduced frequencies on several medium- and long-haul routes, attributing these changes to delays in receiving engines and parts from Rolls-Royce. In November, BA suspended flights on key routes, including services between London Gatwick and New York JFK as well as flights from Heathrow to Kuwait and Bahrain International, again due to the same supply challenges.

More recently, reports from AirlineGeeks indicate that BA has reduced its flights on routes from San Diego International, Houston Intercontinental, and New Orleans International later this year. These routes are either fully or partially operated by the affected Boeing 787 aircraft. In addition, BA has already announced the suspension of flights to Dallas/Fort Worth for the upcoming northern summer season.

Chernoff stressed that the airline is constructing its schedules well into 2026 with a conservative approach that accounts for the currently out-of-service Boeing 787s. “The key is giving customers confidence,” he said. “We’ll plan conservatively and adapt if aircraft become available.” This cautious strategy aims to ensure that passengers receive reliable and predictable service despite the ongoing disruptions.

Looking ahead, British Airways remains flexible. If any of the grounded aircraft unexpectedly return to service, the airline may choose to reinstate suspended routes or reallocate the aircraft to markets with promising growth opportunities. This approach not only helps to stabilize operations during these uncertain times but also positions BA to capitalize on any positive changes in the supply chain.

The continued engine supply issues have significantly impacted British Airways’ ability to fully deploy its modern Boeing 787 fleet. With key routes being reduced or suspended, BA is taking proactive steps to rebuild its schedule for the future while prioritizing customer confidence. As the industry watches closely, BA’s ability to adapt and overcome these challenges will be crucial in maintaining its competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic aviation market.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com