Air New Zealand has grounded its Airbus A320neo narrowbody aircraft due to Pratt & Whitney engine shortage. The impacted aircraft are used for short-haul flights to Australia, the Pacific region, as well as for domestic operations.
According to the airline, travel plans of thousands of passengers are affected as it looks to reschedule flights and also for possible refunds for some travelers.
The airline is facing an engine shortage despite having 32 engines, four spares, and three lease options, Stuff Travel reports. Quoting Brett Daley, Group General Manager, Engineering and Maintenance, Air New Zealand: “Essentially, we don't have enough engines. The scheduled removal of engines and usual non-scheduled removals are all coming together at the same time for every operator around the world. What we thought would be a problem with us until June, July is probably going to be with us to the end of the year.”
The two grounded planes also include a brand new A321neo, which the airline has configured for domestic operations. But Air New Zealand has taken the engines off these grounded aircraft and put them on planes configured for international travel, giving them more deployment options.
Meanwhile airlines across the globe are facing Pratt and Whitney engine supply chain issues. India’s GO First and IndiGo have majority of its fleet grounded while airBaltic too is facing engine shortage issues.