Air New Zealand Faces Pratt & Whitney Engine Woes Until 2025, Considers Leasing Options

Air New Zealand (NZ), based in Auckland International, anticipates ongoing challenges with Pratt & Whitney engine issues that may persist until 2025, potentially leading to the grounding of up to four aircraft at any given time. In response, the airline is exploring additional leasing options while making strategic route adjustments to ensure continued service reliability.

The airline disclosed in a November 7, 2023, Australian Stock Exchange filing that it now has a clearer understanding of the Pratt & Whitney engine maintenance schedules, revealing that up to four aircraft might be temporarily taken out of service simultaneously due to engine availability constraints. The situation is compounded by other supply chain issues affecting Air New Zealand.

CEO Greg Foran acknowledged the significant impact of the Pratt & Whitney servicing schedule, stating, “Leasing additional aircraft is an option we are looking at closely.” To address immediate needs, the airline’s latest leased B767-300ER is set to enter service, and other leasing options are under consideration.

To manage the situation, Air New Zealand announced the suspension of flights to Seoul Incheon and Hobart International in April 2024. Flights to Seoul will conclude on April 1, with Hobart flights ceasing on April 5. Foran explained that the pause in flying to Seoul aims to enhance resiliency during regular maintenance of the Trent 1000 engines powering the B787-9 fleet. Potential issues with spare engine availability from Rolls-Royce during maintenance periods necessitate this precautionary measure.

Foran assured that planned aircraft deliveries, including two ATR72-600s in late 2024/early 2025, three additional A321-200NX between now and 2025, and eight B787-9s scheduled for delivery between 2024 and 2027, are on track. These deliveries are expected to contribute to resolving the ongoing challenges, providing a longer-term solution to the unexpected issue that emerged a few months ago.

Air New Zealand remains committed to managing the impact of Pratt & Whitney engine issues with a proactive approach, ensuring the continuity of its services and addressing the evolving operational landscape.