British Airways has announced the suspension of all flights from London Gatwick to New York’s JFK Airport until at least next year, citing delays in the delivery of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
This decision impacts hundreds of flights over the coming months, a period typically marked by increased travel demand towards Christmas.
The cancellations, which span from 12 December to 25 March, are due to the airline’s inability to secure necessary parts for the engines that power the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. British Airways has expressed regret over the disruption, stating, “We’ve taken this action because we do not believe the issue will be solved quickly, and we want to offer our customers the certainty they deserve.”
The airline has apologised to affected passengers and is working to rebook the majority on the same day with British Airways or partner airlines. “We continue to work closely with Rolls-Royce to ensure the company is aware of the impact its issues are having on our schedule and customers, and seek reassurance of a prompt and reliable solution,” the airline added.
Rolls-Royce acknowledged the supply chain constraints affecting the availability of spares, stating, “We continue to work with British Airways and all of our customers to minimise the impact of the limited availability of spares due to the current supply chain constraints. Unfortunately, this is an issue affecting the whole aerospace industry.”
Travellers are advised to check their flight status and contact British Airways for rebooking options. This development underscores the broader challenges facing the aerospace industry amid ongoing supply chain disruptions.