British Airways has announced further adjustments to its flight schedules due to ongoing issues with the supply of engines for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. These changes come as a response to persistent delays in the delivery of Trent 1000 engines and parts from Rolls-Royce, which have significantly impacted the airline's operations throughout 2024 and into 2025. The latest alterations involve the suspension of summer flights from London's Heathrow Airport to Abu Dhabi. read more
.gif)
This route cancellation follows a series of adjustments British Airways has had to make, including the suspension of services to Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain, and Kuwait, among others, due to the same engine supply problems. The airline has been forced to ground several of its 787 Dreamliners because of these issues, with six aircraft currently out of service, representing about 15% of its Dreamliner fleet. British Airways has stated that these changes were necessary because the engine problem "will not be solved quickly," aiming to provide passengers with more certainty in their travel plans. The airline is offering affected passengers the opportunity to rebook on alternative flights, either with British Airways or its partner airlines. In some cases, this means rerouting through other hubs like Dubai or Doha, or departing from London Gatwick instead of Heathrow.
The engine issues stem from an ongoing challenge with the durability of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, which have been known to deteriorate faster than expected, necessitating more frequent maintenance and part replacements. This situation has been exacerbated by global supply chain disruptions, making it harder for Rolls-Royce to keep up with the demand for spare parts and engines. In response, British Airways has been actively working with Rolls-Royce to find solutions, emphasizing the need for a "prompt and reliable" fix.
The airline has also been using its Boeing 777 aircraft to cover some of the routes affected by the 787 groundings, although this has its own set of challenges, including increased maintenance demands for the older 777 fleet. These schedule changes highlight the broader implications of supply chain vulnerabilities in the aviation sector, where even a single component can disrupt service on a global scale. For British Airways, this means not only logistical and operational adjustments but also managing customer expectations and maintaining service quality amidst these unforeseen challenges.