Air NZ plane called on to replace Virgin Boeing in LA

Friday 15th April 2011 1 Comment

Air New Zealand has rushed to the aid of Virgin Blue group's long-haul subsidiary, V Australia.

The Australian airline was forced to ground one of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in Los Angeles yesterday after it experienced unspecified engine problems and aborted its takeoff.

Aircrew for other airlines reported they saw a "fireball" out of the number one engine on flight VA2, bound for Sydney, shortly before midnight.

V Australia has chartered a Boeing 747-400 from Air New Zealand "to maintain schedule integrity", and the New Zealand plane was today flying from Australia to Los Angeles. The Australian airline could not say how long the aircraft would be chartered for but that it was expected to complete at least a few flights.

NZPA

Comments from our readers

On 16 April 2011 at 8:36 am Mike said:

At least they will have more space to get comfortable on the 747!