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Boeing 787s Remain Grounded
Daniel Fowkes
July 1, 2025
A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner - Photo: Markus Eigenheer
Boeing 787s at Kenya Airways
remain grounded, and the airline now expects its financial position to be negatively impacted as a result.
Driven by engine maintenance complications, fleet data indicate that three of the airline’s Dreamliners remain parked, with six units active, bringing the total number of delivered units to nine.
Data shows that 5Y-KZA, the first 787 delivered to the airline and named ‘The Great Rift Valley,’ has been parked in Nairobi. Meanwhile, 5Y-KZC and 5Y-KZH have also been parked as part of ongoing maintenance challenges.
In the early stages of 2025, there were some suggestions that the groundings would begin to hurt passenger revenue; however, given the freshness of the parking and uncertainty about the return, it was unclear how the following months would pan out.
However, now past the midway point of the calendar year, the 787s remain grounded, and Kenya Airways says that its revenues for the financial year are expected to be significantly affected.
A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner – Photo: Colin Cooke
The Dreamliners, which have been pulled from service, have hindered the ability to offer capacity to leading international markets and have therefore not only led to flight reductions but also other changes across the operation to stabilise what remains of the active 787 fleet.
Challenges For 787 Operators
Unfortunately, the 787 has been one of the hardest-hit aircraft programs in recent times due to ongoing challenges in the maintenance processes of engines equipped on the type.
Kenya Airways is therefore not the only customer affected by maintenance delays and shortages of spare parts. These obstacles, among others, prevent engines from being reapplied to fleets worldwide.
Air New Zealand has also grounded its Dreamliners at times in response to the engine woes. The parking affects its ability to serve international demand, and the lack of communication impacts forecasting.
An Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arriving into Taipei – photo: RONG-SI HSIEH
In Asia, Vietnam Airlines said its maintenance periods for the 787 have been exaggerated. For example, engines that were meant to be sent away for 90 days had their stay extended at times by more than a month, bringing the total to over 120 days away.
Even major international airlines such as British Airways have been forced to either cancel route launches or cut services to global markets over the last 12 months due to reliability concerns with their Dreamliners.
While the 787 remains a significant focus, it is not limited to this aircraft family alone, which has experienced engine challenges, as seen with Airbus’ A320neo series and A220, also affected by reliability woes with Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines.
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A Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engine mounted on the wing of an Airbus A320neo. – Photo: Rafael Luiz Canossa
For some airlines, the situation is improving, whereas for others, the struggles are expected to continue for many more years; however, internally, these same carriers have learnt to deal with the struggles and are finding ways to mitigate the impact.
With that being said, all affected airlines would argue that the impact is far from ideal. See, in an ideal world, these jet engines would be maintained adequately to prevent groundings and long-term effects on revenue, network, and other aspects.
View attachment 3391299
For some airlines, the situation is improving, whereas for others, the struggles are expected to continue for many more years; however, internally, these same carriers have learnt to deal with the struggles and are finding ways to mitigate the impact.
With that being said, all affected airlines would argue that the impact is far from ideal. See, in an ideal world, these jet engines would be maintained adequately to prevent groundings and long-term effects on revenue, network, and other aspects.
Boeing 787s at Kenya Airways remain grounded, and the airline now expects its financial position to be negatively impacted as a result.
MY TAKE
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