en.Wedoany.com Reported - Air New Zealand's last Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner grounded due to Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine issues has returned to service. This marks the removal of a major obstacle for the New Zealand flag carrier, potentially representing the final chapter of a global engine shortage, enabling it to operate its entire Dreamliner fleet.

At its peak, the engine issue grounded five of Air New Zealand's 14 Dreamliners, causing a significant drop in long-haul capacity and forcing the airline to wet-lease a 777-300ER originally from Cathay Pacific. The last 787, ZK-NZD, returned from storage and is now in service.

During the grounding, Air New Zealand also completed a retrofit program, updating the aircraft interiors with new business class and premium economy cabins, along with several improvements to economy class. All 787-9s are expected to feature the new interiors by the end of this year. The airline will also take delivery of two additional 787-9 aircraft this year to support targeted growth in its widebody fleet.

With more aircraft available, the airline has resumed several international services, including long-haul operations from Christchurch Airport (CHC), the country's second busiest international airport. Air New Zealand plans to operate three weekly flights from Christchurch to Perth International Airport (PER), Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), and Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). Baden Smith, Air New Zealand's General Manager of Strategy, Network, and Fleet, stated in a release to New Zealand media outlet Stuff that the additional 787s will facilitate the airline's growth.

The last Dreamliner to return to service is ZK-NZD. According to flight data, the aircraft was ferried to Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage at Alice Springs Airport (ASP) on September 12 last year for engine issue resolution. It was ferried back to its Auckland hub on June 28 as flight NZ6022, departing at 11:33 AM and arriving at Auckland Airport (AKL) after a 4-hour 34-minute flight. The aircraft landed at 6:38 PM and, after just over 48 hours on the ground, resumed scheduled service as flight NZ8 to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

During the aircraft's downtime, Air New Zealand collaborated with Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage to manage the removal of Trent 1000 engines for overhaul at ASP. This work allowed the airline to avoid significant logistical challenges and reduced grounding time by up to six months per aircraft.

According to ch-aviation data, the last aircraft returned to service, ZK-NZD, is 12 years and 11 months old. It made its first test flight in November 2013 and was delivered to Air New Zealand in July 2015. The airline's jet fleet comprises 61 aircraft, including 777-300ERs, 787-9s, Airbus A320ceos, and A321neos, supporting its domestic and international operations. Regional domestic flights are operated by a fleet of 54 aircraft, including ATR 72-600 and Q300 aircraft.