Air New Zealand has only recently said “adiós” to Wamos Air, but the Spanish airline is returning once again to help the national carrier. Wamos finished its lease agreement on the Auckland-Perth route in October but is making a return next year as Air NZ grapples with ongoing worldwide maintenance checks on engines. Air New Zealand general manager Jeremy O’Brien called the new arrangement a “proactive, temporary measure which means we can avoid major flight cancellations while we undertake additional aircraft maintenance in early 2024”. “As Air New Zealand prepares for some of its fleet to undergo maintenance next year due to global engine maintenance issues, which a number of airlines around the world are facing, the airline will be re-entering a temporary lease agreement with Wamos Air to help get customers to where they need to be,” said O’Brien. Madrid-based Wamos is described as a “proven and trusted provider” and that Air NZ “is confident they will continue to deliver to the airline’s expectations of customer care on-board”. Wamos will operate the Auckland-Perth route from February 9 to April 30. Air New Zealand will contact affected customers, although those who booked through a third party “will be informed directly by their travel agent of the changes”. As the Wamos aircraft does not have premium economy seats, any passengers who have booked those fares will be re-accommodated in economy and refunded the fare difference before their travel.<br/>