Virgin Atlantic has become the latest to announce adjustments to its route network as it continues to grapple with ongoing issues related to Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines powering its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
The airline will introduce a new service to Cancun, Mexico, but has postponed the launch of flights to Accra, Ghana, originally scheduled for 2025. Additionally, the resumption of services to Tel Aviv, Israel, has been delayed.
These changes reflect the ongoing challenges posed by the engine issues, which have led to disruptions and cancellations for various airlines operating the Trent 1000-powered 787 Dreamliner.
Citing news reports circulated online by aviation insiders, the GDN reported last week that British Airways was expecting significant disruptions due to ongoing issues with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines powering its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
These problems have led to flight cancellations and schedule changes on various routes, including those to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Kuala Lumpur, the reports said.
The airline has blamed Rolls-Royce for delays in delivering engines and spare parts, impacting its operations and causing inconvenience to passengers.
urging the airline to reconsider its decision to potentially axe the service completely. The newspaper highlighted the strong economic and cultural ties between Bahrain and the UK, and the popularity of the route among travellers.
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According to information available on the British Airways website, the airline has a total of 30 Boeing 787s in its fleet of types 8 and 9, whereas it is expecting to roll out 12 planes of the new 10 type by the end of the year.
The airline has more than 280 planes in its fleet including narrow and wide-body jets from both Airbus and Boeing.
European aviation regulators have ordered checks on certain Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines powering Boeing 787 Dreamliners, citing potential structural failures in critical engine parts.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an airworthiness directive in June this year affecting a limited number of Boeing 787-8 aircraft equipped with specific Trent 1000 engine types.
The directive, affecting eight Trent 1000 aircraft engine family types, could ground up to 78 Boeing 787-8 aircraft, Simpleflying.com had said.
The move comes as airlines, including Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air, a major operator of 787 Dreamliners, have expressed concerns about the engine’s durability. Gulf Air has reported higher-than-expected engine replacements and downtime, impacting its network expansion plans.
Rolls-Royce has acknowledged the issues and is working on solutions, including modifications and improved maintenance procedures. However, the company has faced criticism for delays in delivering engines and spare parts, disrupting airline operations.
The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine is one of the two options for the Boeing 787 family aircraft, with the other being the General Electric GEnx-1B.
Neither Rolls Royce nor British Airways has responded to GDN’s inquiries for further comment.
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