“Air New Zealand Prioritizes Return to Hobart and Seoul; Adjusts Premium Cabin Capacity on Asian Routes Amid Aircraft Shortages
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Air New Zealand has announced its plans to focus on resuming flights to the “key” destinations of Hobart and Seoul, while also enhancing premium seating on its Asian routes, due to ongoing aircraft shortages caused by engine issues.
The national carrier intends to relaunch services to the Tasmanian and South Korean capitals in October 2024, following a temporary suspension of these routes over the New Zealand winter months. These will be seasonal services operating between October and March, with the airline offering three direct flights per week.
The Hobart route was temporarily paused on April 5 to facilitate maintenance on aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines. This maintenance was necessitated by an issue related to powdered metal used in the manufacturing of certain engine parts, leading to microscopic cracks, as highlighted by RTX Corp, the parent company of the engine manufacturer.
In an effort to enhance capacity and offer more premium seating options, Air New Zealand plans to replace the current 787 aircraft serving Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei routes with larger 777-300 aircraft. This fleet upgrade aims to accommodate the increasing demand for premium cabins.
Specifically, the airline will introduce an additional 30,000 seats on the Tokyo route, with a significant portion allocated to business premier and premium economy cabins. Similarly, over half of the 20,000 extra seats on the Singapore route will be in premium cabins, while all 5,000 additional seats to Taipei will be a combination of business premier and premium economy seats.
However, Air New Zealand has extended the suspension of its non-stop Auckland to Chicago service until the second half of 2025. This decision was made due to ongoing challenges with the availability of serviceable Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, which are utilized in the airline’s Boeing 787 aircraft.
Scott Carr, Air New Zealand’s general manager for long-haul operations, acknowledged the difficulty of this decision but emphasized its necessity. He stated that the airline anticipates resuming the Chicago route with the introduction of new 787s, expected in the second half of the following year.
“While we understand that this extended pause may be disappointing for travelers with plans to visit Chicago, we are committed to providing alternative options,” Carr commented. “Our teams will be reaching out directly to affected customers to discuss available alternatives.”
Carr highlighted the popularity of premium seating options among travelers flying to Singapore, Tokyo, and Taipei, underscoring the airline’s commitment to meeting customer preferences and demands.”
TIN BUREAU