News
Air New Zealand plans Seoul and other growth post-Rolls-Royce problems
March 29th 2019
Schedule growing as airline has full 787 fleet after Rolls-Royce engine work. Read More »
Air New Zealand (ANZ) is expanding its long-haul network with a new Seoul flight and frequency additions as it prepares to have a fully-operational 787 fleet. ANZ last expected all of its 787s to return to service by 1 September after a prolonged series of inspections and repairs with Rolls-Royce engines due to manufacturing problems.
In 1H2019, ANZ had up to five 787s grounded. As of 28 February, it had two 787s grounded and expected only one aircraft to be grounded from 1 April.
ANZ will commence 787 Auckland-Seoul Incheon flights on 23 November with three weekly flights, growing to five weekly in the peak season from late-December to mid-February. ANZ served Seoul in the 1990s.
Seoul is one of a few long-haul destinations ANZ will serve that neighbour Qantas does not. Qantas recently considered Seoul service but instead opted to fly to Osaka Kansai as Qantas already serves Japan.
ANZ also announced frequency additions on its existing network. Chicago and Taipei will be increased from three weekly to up to five weekly. ANZ’s Hong Kong service will move from an Auckland overnight departure to daylight flight, reducing ground time in Hong Kong and freeing up significant capacity for re-deployment.
ANZ incurred direct and indirect costs from the Trent 1000 groundings. For example, ANZ had extra staff in order to cover possible schedule disruptions from the engine problems. Chairman Tony Carter said in the airline’s interim report, “While the Trent 1000 engine issues are not within our direct control, how we choose to respond certainly is.”
