Air New Zealand's non-stop Auckland to Chicago flights postponed

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: This week, Air New Zealand said that due to ongoing challenges with the availability of serviceable Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines used in its Boeing 787 aircraft, it would postpone its Auckland to Chicago non-stop service from March 31 to October 25, in 2024.

The airline added that as it plans to re-accommodate most of the impacted customers to alternative services, it does not expect an impact on its full-year results.

Leanne Geraghty, the airline's chief customer and sales officer, said, "Air New Zealand continues to be impacted by challenges with availability of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines."

"We will now have up to three aircraft unavailable for an extended period," he added.

The company said that Rolls-Royce has been unable to provide it with spare or replacement engines.

Air New Zealand's earnings in fiscal 2024 before taxation forecast ranges from NZ$200 million (US$123.3 million) to NZ$240 million, lower than the NZ$574 million reported in fiscal 2023.