Air New Zealand flight NZ81 from Auckland to Hong Kong had to return to Auckland mid-flight after two-and-a-half hours in the air. The decision to turn back was made because the aircraft required the anti-ice function inside one of its engines to be checked by the maintenance team. The flight was west of New Caledonia when it turned back. This incident comes after another Air New Zealand flight, NZ289 bound for Shanghai, also had to return to Auckland earlier in the week due to an issue with excessive oil consumption. The crew of NZ289 decided to return to Auckland for the plane to be checked by the engineering team [c1c60f70].
Flight NZ81, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, departed from Auckland over an hour late and ascended to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet. The captain observed discrepancies in one of the Trent 1000 engines' anti-ice functions and decided to return to Auckland. The aircraft involved in the incident was the 787-9, registered as ZK-NZI with serial number 37965. It is configured with 18 business class, 21 premium, and 263 economy class seats, and is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The incident highlights the importance of thorough maintenance and inspection processes to ensure the safety and timely departure of flights. Airlines must prioritize the well-being and comfort of their passengers by addressing any technical issues promptly and effectively. The incidents also underscore the need for continuous improvement in the aviation industry, with a focus on enhancing operational efficiency, customer service, and passenger experience [33ad8eb0].