Airlines

PAINT IS FLAKING ON AIR NEW ZEALAND’S DREAMLINERS

Air New Zealand connects Auckland and New York for the first time ever

The paint on the wings of certain Air New Zealand Boeing 787 planes is starting to flake. The New Zealand journal Business Desk appears to have been the first to report on the situation

Air New Zealand is the latest airline to admit to having paint peeling off composite surfaces. It appears that the airline’s Boeing 787s have been affected, with plans to repaint them beginning in May. Boeing is aware of the problem created by the sun’s UV rays and is working on a solution. “Boeing is working to provide both an immediate as well as longer term solution.”

Peeling paint is a known concern in the fleet, caused by UV rays from the sun affecting a coating in the Dreamliner’s paint, according to Simple Flying. Boeing is developing a new UV-blocking coating that will solve the problem in the long run. Meanwhile, a temporary ‘touch-up’ patch for the problem has been made available. Business Desk further reports that the affected planes will fly out to Boeing in the United States to be repainted. This will take place from May onwards, however, there is no need to ground the jets in the meantime as the issue is purely cosmetic, and doesn’t impact the aircraft’s airworthiness.

Air New Zealand was one of the first customers for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and it already has 14 of the planes. The planes were delivered between 2014 and 2019, with the oldest being over eight years old. The news comes just days after Qatar Airways experienced similar issues with their Airbus A350’s paintwork. After failing to reach an agreement, Qatar Airways decided to take legal action against Airbus.

This is intended to be a long-term solution. Short-term repairs, such as local touch-ups, are also available from Boeing to address the peeling paint. According to the firm, it is working closely with its clients (plural) to resolve this cosmetic issue. As a result, we can presume that additional airlines are experiencing similar challenges, with Boeing meeting their needs to provide the appropriate solution.

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.