Replacement Air NZ aircraft experiences 'engineering issue'

An Airbus brought in by Air NZ to fly between Auckland and Sydney while Dreamliner engines are repaired has suffered problems of its own, delaying passengers about 18 hours. Air NZ leased 2 aircraft - with crew - from Portuguese company Hi Fly after 2 of its Boeing 787-9 fleet experienced engine troubles. The first replacement aircraft, an Airbus A340, arrived in Auckland Friday but its return flight from Sydney was thwarted by what Air NZ described as "an engineering issue". "Unfortunately due to curfew requirements at Sydney airport the service was cancelled, which also led to the cancellation of the return service NZ108 from Sydney to Auckland," the airline said. Air NZ said the issue with the chartered plane had been resolved and that it returned to service Sunday morning. <br/>