The Rolls Royce engine blade deterioration problems that have grounded many 787s over the past two years have hit new one-year-old aircraft operated by Singapore Airlines.
A Singapore Airlines spokesman told AirlineRatings.com that "during recent routine inspections of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN engines on Singapore Airlines' Boeing 787-10 fleet, premature blade deterioration was found on some engines."
In a statement, the airline said: "As safety is our top priority, the SIA Group, in consultation with Rolls-Royce, proactively identified other Trent 1000 TEN engines in the Group's 787 fleets to undergo precautionary inspections. All of these engine inspections on SIA's 787-10 fleet have now been completed, and a remaining check will be completed on a Scoot 787-9 by 3 April. Pending engine replacements, two SIA 787-10 aircraft have been removed from service."
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"As a result, some flights to destinations served by the 787-10 fleet have been affected. SIA is operating other aircraft for these flights to minimize schedule disruption to customers. However, as capacity may be lower on replacement aircraft, some customers may be affected and they will be contacted accordingly."
"We regret the inconvenience caused and sincerely apologize to customers whose travel plans are affected, and seek their understanding. SIA is working closely with Rolls-Royce and the relevant authorities for any additional follow-up actions and precautionary measures that may be required going forward."
Thus far the engine maker has taken a £790 million loss on the 787 engine wear issue.
It’s been a thorn in the side of for Boeing 787 Dreamliner operators around the world with aircraft grounded and others having their range restricted.
Early this year Rolls-Royce began installing redesigned Trent 1000 intermediate pressure compressor blades after they were certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency in late December.
It said that it expects the number of planes on the ground to reduce progressively in 2019 and for flight restrictions to be lifted on aircraft with engines fitted with the new blades.
Airlines affected by the engine problems include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
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