NEW DELHI: Jet engine-maker Pratt & Whitney (PW) has informed IndiGo the latest powder metal contamination issue could see “aircraft on ground (AoG) in the range of mid-thirties in the fourth quarter (January-March 2024) due to accelerated engine removals”.
Already, almost 50 IndiGo AirbusA320neo (new engine option) have been grounded for several months, awaiting replacement GTF engines from PW.This means that over 80 IndiGo planes could be grounded early next year. Any more engines going bust – a common occurrence with PW GTF engines that power the A320neos – will add to this number. Acapacity crunch, which IndiGo is trying to address by getting as many planes on lease as possible, could lead to a spike in airfares as seen earlier this summer after GoAir collapsed.
The GTF engines have been facing a series of issues or snags for the last five-six years. The DGCA has recently directed PW to have an maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) in India given the number of PW-powered neos in India, with IndiGo being the biggest operator of this combo.
“Globally, we understand that incremental engines ranging between 600-700 are being removed for accelerated inspections and shop visits, and two thirds of these engine removals are planned for 2023 and early 2024,” IndiGo said in a statement on Tuesday.
Already, almost 50 IndiGo AirbusA320neo (new engine option) have been grounded for several months, awaiting replacement GTF engines from PW.This means that over 80 IndiGo planes could be grounded early next year. Any more engines going bust – a common occurrence with PW GTF engines that power the A320neos – will add to this number. Acapacity crunch, which IndiGo is trying to address by getting as many planes on lease as possible, could lead to a spike in airfares as seen earlier this summer after GoAir collapsed.
The GTF engines have been facing a series of issues or snags for the last five-six years. The DGCA has recently directed PW to have an maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) in India given the number of PW-powered neos in India, with IndiGo being the biggest operator of this combo.
“Globally, we understand that incremental engines ranging between 600-700 are being removed for accelerated inspections and shop visits, and two thirds of these engine removals are planned for 2023 and early 2024,” IndiGo said in a statement on Tuesday.