Air New Zealand has been forced to ground some international flights due to problems with Rolls Royce engines on its aircraft.
Some engines on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet require maintenance following recent “engine events”.
Two flights were forced to return to Auckland this week after mechanical trouble, local media reported.
Japanese carrier ANA and Virgin Atlantic have previously reported problems with the Trent 1000 engines.
Rolls Royce said in August that components on some Trent 1000 engines were wearing out earlier than expected, according to reports.
ANZ said in a statement to the New Zealand stock exchange: “Air New Zealand advises that as a result of recent Rolls Royce engine events on its Boeing 787-9 fleet there will be limited international flight cancellations and delays each day over the coming weeks.
“Rolls Royce has informed Air New Zealand that some of its engines on the Boeing 787-9 fleet will require maintenance sooner than previously advised and that it does not have any spare engines available while that maintenance work is undertaken.
“Air New Zealand will be focussed on finding replacement aircraft capacity.“
It comes as the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission investigates two incidents involving “engine abnormalities” on the carrier’s services this week.
The Air New Zealand flights to Tokyo and Argentina were forced to return to Auckland after take-off due to engineering issues.
The New Zealand Herald reported passengers experienced shaking and heard “weird noises” on the flight to Tokyo.
A Rolls Royce spokesman told Reuters it was working with Air New Zealand to minimise disruption, adding that it’s “not uncommon for long-term engine programmes to experience technical issues during their life”.