Air NZ Delays 787 Refurbishments, Suspends Seoul Route
Air New Zealand has suspended its Auckland–Seoul Incheon service as capacity constraints and prolonged delays in refurbishing its Boeing 787-9 fleet take their toll. The decision underscores the challenges faced by the airline amid ongoing engine shortages, supply chain constraints, and delays in shop capacity and OEM deliveries, all of which have pushed back critical cabin refurbishments.
The issue came to light when the airline’s first 787-9 was ferried to Singapore Changi on October 13 for a cabin refurbishment. Initially expected to return shortly after Christmas, the aircraft remains in Singapore, with its re-entry into service now quietly shifted from mid-February to mid-year. Air New Zealand aims to retrofit all fourteen of its 787-9s by the end of 2026, with a goal to have seven completed by the end of 2025. However, given the setbacks with this aircraft, this ambitious timeline may face further adjustments.
In addition to engine shortages, the airline is grappling with significant challenges in shop capacity, OEM delivery delays, supply chain disruptions, and workforce shortages. These factors collectively have led to capacity constraints that forced Air New Zealand to suspend its seasonal flights to Seoul until 2026, citing “ongoing challenges with engine availability.” The suspension of the Auckland–Seoul route follows similar operational interruptions, including the halting of its Auckland–Chicago O’Hare flights for comparable reasons.
Currently, aside from the delayed 787-9 under refurbishment, Air New Zealand has three other 787-9s out of service—two parked at Auckland and one in long-term storage at Alice Springs. This reduction in long-haul capacity is creating further strain on the carrier’s network. The airline had previously warned investors during a November 2024 call that up to six A321neo and four 787-9 aircraft might be out of service at any given time in 2025.
To mitigate the impact of these disruptions, Air New Zealand is implementing several network adjustments. These include strategic aircraft swaps on specific routes, reducing flight frequencies while deploying larger aircraft on high-demand routes, and leasing additional capacity to cover the shortfall. Notably, the airline has leased three Boeing 777-300ERs over the past 18 months, increasing its widebody fleet size to ten. CEO Greg Foran highlighted the reliability of the Boeing 777-300ERs during the investor call, remarking, “The B777 is a bit like a 1986 Toyota Corolla. It is going to start every time, and the GE90 engines on them are something to behold. You don’t have to take them off wing every 750 cycles. You can leave them on there for several thousand. We like them.” Foran credited these leased aircraft, delivered between October 2023 and October 2024 from Cathay Pacific, with helping to offset the capacity shortfall caused by the 787-9 delays.
Air New Zealand’s current challenges highlight the broader industry issues stemming from global supply chain problems that affect not just engine deliveries but also essential components like cabin seats and galleys. Despite these obstacles, the carrier remains committed to completing its fleet refurbishment program and optimizing its network to maintain service levels.
As the airline navigates these turbulent times, industry observers will be watching closely to see how Air New Zealand adapts its operations and whether it can meet its ambitious target of fully modernizing its B787-9 fleet by 2026.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=Air+New+Zealand
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com