Air New Zealand Ends Auckland-Seoul Service Due to Engine Issues

Air New Zealand will be suspending its seasonal service between Auckland (AKL) and Seoul (ICN) due to ongoing engine availability issues across its fleet. The airline’s final flight on the Auckland-Seoul route is scheduled for March 29, 2025. The route, which currently operates three times per week, uses Boeing 787 aircraft for the 5,996-mile (5,210-nautical mile) journey. While flights were initially planned to resume in October 2025, Air New Zealand has now canceled these plans due to persistent engine maintenance challenges.

Air New Zealand’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Jeremy O’Brien, explained that the airline had to make adjustments in its network to ensure smooth operations amid engine availability constraints. “Due to the ongoing challenges with engine availability, we have reviewed our network to ensure we are set up to operate our schedule effectively and best deliver for our customers’ needs,” O’Brien stated.

The airline has been grappling with global engine maintenance delays, leading to the grounding of up to six Airbus A320neo-family aircraft and four 787s during the first half of its financial year ending December 30, 2024—a significant 16% of its jet fleet. The Pratt & Whitney GTF engines powering its A320 aircraft have required extended inspections, while Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines on the 787s have faced durability issues. These complications are expected to persist until early 2026.

O’Brien assured passengers that the airline remains committed to providing seamless travel experiences and that passengers can still reach South Korea by booking flights with Air New Zealand’s partner airlines, including connections via Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taipei.

The decision to suspend flights to Seoul is part of a broader operational review prompted by the airline’s fleet shortages, which have already affected its financial performance. In November 2024, Air New Zealand projected a pre-tax profit of NZ$120 million to NZ$160 million ($69-$91 million) for the first half of its fiscal year but acknowledged that grounded aircraft had caused a significant financial strain.

As a result of Air New Zealand’s exit from the Auckland-Seoul route, Korean Air will remain the only airline operating nonstop flights between the two cities. Korean Air operates year-round service between Auckland and Seoul, with daily flights during the northern winter season and three times per week during the northern summer season.

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