Air New Zealand Faces Fleet Shortages Until 2026
Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) is grappling with significant aircraft availability issues due to global engine maintenance delays, a situation expected to persist until early 2026. This ongoing problem has resulted in up to six Airbus A321neo aircraft and four Boeing B787-9s being out of service throughout the latter half of 2024, severely impacting the airline’s operational capacity.
During its investors’ day presentation on November 25, Air New Zealand revealed that it anticipates maintaining a similar number of aircraft out of service throughout most of 2025. “This represents over 16% of Air New Zealand’s entire jet fleet,” the carrier stated. To mitigate the impact, the airline is exploring various options to improve capacity, including leasing additional aircraft.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, six of Air New Zealand’s twelve A321-200NX aircraft are currently grounded. The affected aircraft include:
- ZK-NNB (msn 8542)
- ZK-NNC (msn 8573)
- ZK-OYA (msn 10963)
- ZK-OYC (msn 11096)
- ZK-OYD (msn 11521)
- ZK-OYE (msn 11773)
In addition to the A321neo fleet, four of the airline’s ten B787-9s are also out of service. These include:
- ZK-NZG (msn 37963)
- ZK-NZH (msn 37964)
- ZK-NZK (msn 43217)
- ZK-NZR (msn 65088)
The shortage of operational aircraft has had a tangible impact on Air New Zealand’s financial performance. The airline forecasts its earnings before taxation for the six months ending December 31, 2024, to be between NZD 120-160 million (USD 70-94 million). This projection includes NZD 30 million (USD 17.6 million) in compensation from engine manufacturers for previous periods, which is part of a broader compensation package. Additionally, around NZD 20 million (USD 11.7 million) is expected from the sale and leaseback of four A320-200s.
Katsuya Goto, Air New Zealand’s Executive Vice President for the EMEA region, highlighted the severity of the situation in an interview. He acknowledged that while the number of grounded A321neo aircraft due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues has decreased, the delays in engine inspections will continue to challenge the airline for the next two years. Goto emphasized that sourcing additional engines is a top priority for the airline to restore its full operational capacity.
The global engine maintenance delays affecting Air New Zealand are part of a broader issue impacting airlines worldwide. The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines used on the B787s and Pratt & Whitney GTF engines on the A321neo jets have been experiencing significant maintenance backlogs, leading to widespread aircraft grounding across multiple carriers.
Air New Zealand’s efforts to address these fleet shortages include negotiating leases for additional aircraft to maintain flight schedules and meet passenger demand. By leasing aircraft, the airline aims to alleviate some of the operational pressures caused by the grounded fleet, ensuring continued service to its destinations despite the ongoing maintenance challenges.
Passengers traveling with Air New Zealand may experience reduced flight availability and potential schedule adjustments as the airline navigates these fleet shortages. However, the airline remains committed to minimizing disruptions and maintaining high service standards by utilizing reserve aircraft and optimizing existing resources.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=Air+New+Zealand
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com