Engine Shortages Force Air New Zealand to Exit Korean Market Until 2026, and More
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Engine Crisis Forces Air New Zealand to Ground Korea Flights
The ongoing engine availability crisis has forced Air New Zealand to indefinitely suspend its Incheon (ICN) to Auckland (AKL) route, with the final flight scheduled for March 29, 2025.
Up to 10 aircraft (4 Boeing 787s and 6 A320neo family) are currently grounded, representing 16% of the airline's jet fleet, with no improvement expected until early 2026.
The route suspension affects approximately 40,000 seats between the cities, leaving Korean Air as the sole operator of nonstop flights on this route.
Key Points
- Engine Crisis: Multiple aircraft groundings due to Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and Pratt & Whitney GTF engine maintenance delays.
- Network Impact: Three weekly flights cancelled, affecting connectivity to an important Asian market.
- Alternative Options: Passengers can still reach Seoul via partner airlines through Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taipei.
- Fleet Constraints: 16% of the jet fleet grounded, forcing network optimization.
- Market Position: Korean Air becomes a monopoly operator on the route.
- Financial Implications: Engine issues are already impacting the airline's financial performance and profit outlook.
What It Means
I view this development as particularly concerning for Air New Zealand's Asian network strategy.
The timing couldn't be worse, coinciding with unprecedented U.S. carrier competition in the transpacific market and shifting alliance dynamics in Northeast Asia.
While temporary network adjustments are common, the extended timeline until early 2026 suggests a longer-term strategic challenge that could weaken the airline's competitive position in one of the key East Asian markets.
