Engine problems to cause Air New Zealand cancellations

Air New Zealand has flagged cancellations and schedule changes over the peak summer period - pointing the finger at engine supplier Rolls-Royce.

"Like many other airlines around the world, for the past couple of years we’ve been managing challenges with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to our Boeing 787-9 aircraft," Air New Zealand said in a email to customers. 

"We thought these issues were almost behind us, however Rolls-Royce has informed us that our newer Trent 1000 TEN engines also require maintenance earlier than expected. 

"Alongside this, Rolls-Royce has told us it doesn’t have the capacity to do this maintenance work quickly, as we are just one of many airlines affected globally.

"Some of our flights will be impacted this summer.

"Getting customers to their destinations is our top priority. We’re doing all we can to minimise disruption, but unfortunately we need to make a limited number of cancellations and changes to some flights over summer.

Most of these changes are contained to our Perth flights and we estimate around 14,000 customers will be impacted by cancellations. Flights within New Zealand will not be affected.

We are deeply disappointed to be in this position again, but safety is paramount and non-negotiable."

Passengers whose flights are affected will be contacted by Air New Zealand, said acting CEO Jeff McDowall.