Air New Zealand Looks To Recover From ‘Unprecedented’ Engine Issues

Engine issues affecting Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF) and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines have proved to be “much deeper and more persistent” than their manufacturers expected, according to Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran.

He added that the flag carrier was one of very few airlines to have suffered major disruption from both engines, with five narrowbody Airbus A321neos and three widebody Boeing 787s grounded in the first half of its financial year, and six narrowbodies and five widebodies grounded in the second half, which ended June 30. The airline expects five narrowbodies and five widebodies to be grounded in the ongoing first half of its 2026 financial year.

“We did not predict that we would finish the year with minus 4% ASKs [Available Seat Kilometers]. We don’t run this business on the basis that we’re shrinking it,” noted Foran on an earnings call. “We’ve had to deal with really an unprecedented set of engine issues.”

However, Foran hopes to see a gradual improvement as aircraft return and Air New Zealand receives new aircraft, including GEnx-powered 787s that do not have the reliability issues affecting the Rolls-Royce engines from its original orders.

He also told investors that a new turbine blade for the Trent 1000 should increase durability, although it will take time to install across the fleet.

Earlier this year, Rolls-Royce announced that it had received FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency certification for a redesigned intermediate pressure compressor blade.

Introduction of the new blade, which will take place on a phased basis as production ramps up, is expected to help alleviate the number of aircraft on ground events relating to Trent 1000-powered aircraft, while also relieving operator maintenance burden and flight operational restrictions.