British Airways, a subsidiary of International Airlines Group (IAG), is navigating a turbulent period as it grapples with ongoing challenges related to its Boeing 787 fleet. The root of the issue lies with delays in the delivery of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, crucial components powering the Dreamliner aircraft. These delays have prompted the airline to adjust its winter capacity plans, scaling back its projected growth from 5% to 4% for the fourth quarter. This decision, while slightly impacting the overall growth, is a necessary step taken to mitigate the effects of the engine availability constraints.
The impact of the engine delays became more pronounced towards the end of the summer season, leading BA’s Chief Executive Sean Doyle to emphasize the importance of this capacity reduction. The airline is actively seeking solutions to enhance its long-haul fleet in the face of these challenges, while also planning for next summer’s operations. However, IAG has not yet provided capacity guidance for the year 2025.
Despite the difficulties, British Airways has welcomed four new widebody aircraft in 2024, including three 787-10s and one A350-1000. The full impact of these additions on operations is expected in the upcoming year. However, the airline remains acutely aware of the ongoing challenges related to the availability of Rolls-Royce Trent engines, and its ability to meet its operational objectives will depend heavily on the timely resolution of these issues.
