Airlines

Emirates pays Tauranga man $13,555 over ‘misleading and deceptive’ advertising of business class seats

A New Zealand dispute tribunal ordered Emirates (EK) to reimburse passenger Mark Morgan for EK advertising that it regarded to be “misleading and deceptive” for NZ$13,555 (about AU$12.5k).

The airline runs older aircraft out of New Zealand than the B777-300 seen in advertisements for the service, thus Morgan and his wife did not receive the lie-flat beds they were anticipating when they flew with Emirates. Not only that, but the couple discovered that the entertainment system was outdated and “failed owing to its age,” there was no minibar, and the seats were less padded than those depicted in the advertisements.

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Morgan testified before the tribunal that the Dubai-based airline had even supplied a picture of the business class seats on the more recent aircraft after he had purchased his ticket.

The airline stated that its ticket terms and conditions permit changes in the type of aircraft based on the operational needs in effect at the time of the flight. The court, who believed that the aircraft allocation was a frequent event rather than an unusual one, was unconvinced by this, however. But, the tribunal objected. Referee Laura Mueller of the Disputes Tribunal said that Emirates promoted a business class service that passengers were very unlikely to get.

But the tribunal disagreed. Referee Laura Mueller for the Disputes Tribunal said that Emirates promoted a business class service that passengers were very unlikely to get.

Not an occasional or one-time change of aircraft due to operational requirements, but rather the result of them promoting a service that they hardly ever provided. According to Mueller, there were no seats or amenities offered in this scenario.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.