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Virgin Atlantic faces prolonged engine issues impacting operations

Virgin Atlantic faces prolonged engine issues impacting operations
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Airbus A380 | Airbus

Virgin Atlantic is facing ongoing challenges with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines on its Boeing 787 fleet, according to CEO Shai Weiss. Speaking at the Airlines UK conference in London, Weiss acknowledged that these engine issues have been affecting the airline's operations and are expected to persist through 2025. The Independent reported on his remarks.

Weiss explained that maintaining the Boeing 787s demands significantly more effort compared to other aircraft in Virgin Atlantic's fleet. "We have been dealing with this for a very long time. It started from the launch of the plane. The Trent 1000 engine has not been a good engine. I’m assuming this will persist during the whole year," he stated.

The problems with the Trent 1000 engines have led Virgin Atlantic to adjust its network due to reduced capacity expectations for next year. Sources cited by The Times indicate that one of Virgin Atlantic’s Dreamliners was out of service, with expectations that two might be grounded next year.

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"We have taken measures to reduce our schedule. We’re not launching Accra and we’re delaying the restart of Tel Aviv. It’s going to hurt us financially," Weiss added.

Virgin Atlantic planned to launch daily flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Accra (ACC) using a Boeing 787 starting May 1, 2025, providing competition on that route. Similarly, service resumption to Tel Aviv was set for March 30, 2025, but both plans are now delayed due in part to regional instability and engine concerns.

The airline operates a fleet of seventeen Boeing 787-9 aircraft, one of which has been grounded since November at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), as confirmed by ch-aviation reports.

British Airways is also experiencing similar challenges with its own fleet and has announced reductions across its network because of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 issues. This includes revising routes such as those between London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which will remain suspended until March 2025.

Rolls-Royce remains optimistic about future upgrades ensuring continued appeal among airline customers despite current setbacks.

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