Global supply chain pressures could affect how quickly Kenya Airways can replace the engines, the flag carrier says.
Kenya Airways says it is experiencing delays and disruptions throughout its network due to the grounding of two Boeing 787-8s.
The grounding of the widebodies—which are powered by GE Aerospace’s GEnx-1B 70/75 engines—was caused by unscheduled engine overhaul and unforeseen engine supply chain constraints. The SkyTeam alliance member operates a fleet of nine 787-8s, the first of which was delivered in 2014. The delays may continue, the flag carrier says.
The affected aircraft are registered as 5Y-KZD, which completed its most recent service on Aug. 20 in Nairobi, and 5Y-KZG, which has been grounded since Aug. 27 at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which serves Kenya's capital Nairobi.
“We are currently working with our engine lessors and manufacturers on a solution, and this includes finding replacements for our engines,” Kenya Airways said in a Sept. 4 statement.
These groundings led to the airline downgrading, rescheduling or delaying some flights, but Kenya Airways says it expects this to be resolved shortly and will keep passengers informed.
The carrier says that in the event that the engine overhaul takes longer than expected due to global workforce and supply chain pressures, the airline will realign its network to reduce the number of disruptions.
Aviation Week has reached out to Kenya Airways for comment.
Kenya Airways operates the 787s from its Nairobi hub at Jomo Kenyatta on routes within Africa, as well as to Asia and Europe. The widebody also flies the carrier's longest route, from Nairobi to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Kenya Airways recently posted a KES513 million ($3.9 million) interim net profit for the first six months of 2024, the first time the carrier has reported a profit after tax since 2013.
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