Air New Zealand has announced a temporary suspension of its Auckland to Chicago service, citing ongoing issues with the availability of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The flights, which currently operate three times a week using Boeing 787-9 aircraft, will be paused from March 31 to October 25. This decision impacts the longest nonstop route in Air New Zealand’s network, stretching 8,187 miles from Auckland International Airport (AKL) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The airline, which is the exclusive operator of direct flights between these cities, launched the route in November 2018, only to suspend it during the global pandemic in March 2020. Services had resumed in October 2022, demonstrating the airline’s commitment to connecting New Zealand with key international markets.
Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Officer, expressed the difficulty of this decision, emphasizing the impact of the Rolls-Royce engine availability challenges on the airline’s operations. The need for maintenance after only 750-850 cycles, significantly below the standard 1,000 cycles, has put unexpected pressure on Air New Zealand’s fleet availability.
Despite the temporary halt on the Chicago route, Air New Zealand maintains a robust schedule to the U.S. and Canada, offering up to 35 flights each week to six major ports, ensuring continued connectivity for passengers traveling to and from Chicago and beyond.
The airline also faces challenges with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines on its Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, affecting domestic and short-haul international routes. The maintenance issues have led to the grounding of up to four aircraft at any one time, with services to Seoul and Hobart also being paused starting early April.
Air New Zealand’s efforts to manage these operational hurdles underscore the complexities airlines face in maintaining service levels amidst technical challenges. The airline’s focus on ensuring safety and reliability, even at the expense of temporary route suspensions, reflects its commitment to customer service and operational excellence.
