Questions fly over Air NZ Dreamliners
Air New Zealand’s Dreamliners are fitted with the same type of engine as those found with cracks in Japan, the aviation regulator has confirmed.
Up to 50 All Nippon Airways’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes have been grounded after corrosion and cracking problems were discovered on the RollsRoyce Trent 1000 engines.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesman Mike Richards confirmed the Air NZ fleet was fitted with the same engines.
‘‘From our point of view there have been no operational issues in New Zealand with the engine and we understand Rolls-Royce is working with airlines about repairs,’’ Richards said.
The CAA was closely monitoring the action Air NZ is taking with Rolls Royce and is satisfied the necessary steps are being taken to ensure the ongoing safety of the travelling public, he said.
‘‘The CAA is aware that aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce is working closely with Air New Zealand regarding precautionary maintenance upgrades on Trent engines fitted to some of the national carrier’s Boeing Dreamliner aircraft.’’
It would continue to monitor the situation closely as the airline implements any upgrades recommended by the engine manufacturer, he said.
Air NZ is one of a handful of airlines which also flies the 787s with the Trent 1000 engines.
Its fleet of seven Dreamliners each carry 302 passengers on routes from Auckland to Buenos Aires, Honolulu, Perth, Shanghai, and Tokyo. The fleet has been flying for an average of 1.2 years and the airline has five more of the planes on order.
Air NZ said it has put systems in place to manage the issue.
‘‘It’s worth noting that Air New Zealand operates its 787 fleet very differently to many other airlines in that our aircraft operate on long-haul sectors rather than the multiple short-haul sectors that others such as ANA tend to do.
‘‘Short-sector flying is thought to be a contributor to the issue,’’ the airline said.
Half the worldwide Boeing 787-9 fleet is fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, including the seven Air NZ aircraft, it added.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) cancelled nine flights scheduled for its 50-jet Dreamliner fleet last week.
ANA deputy senior vice-president of engineering and maintenance Takeo Kikuchi, told reporters in Tokyo it may have to scrub more than 300 trips through to the end of September as it deals with cracking in the mediumpressure turbines of the Trent 1000 engines.