I find it interesting they are saying these are super old planes that should have been retired years ago, and they are 23 years old. I was somehow under the impression it was normal for planes to fly for decades.

They also said or implied that two fuses blew, which meant spoilers had to be taken off, which means it can't fly long distance. It sounds super minor, they can't courier in replacement parts within the three days the PM is in Japan, or fly back to NZ for the repairs then to Japan?

[–] Ilovethebomb 2 points 5 months ago

There are DC-3 aircraft that were built prior to WW2 still in commercial service, most notably by Buffalo airways in Canada. Having said that, a modern airliner is a much more complex beast, so much harder to keep running as it ages.

It also sounds like the fuses blowing and spoilers being removed are symptoms of a bigger issue.