IndiGo’s Pratt & Whitney woes resurface
In another wave of engine trouble in India, IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, will need to send some of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft using Pratt and Whitney engines for inspection as the US engine maker has suggested accelerated inspection of 600 aircraft worldwide. “We are in receipt of the information from the OEM Pratt and Whitney (P&W) regarding the outcome of the latest inspection of their engine. We are working closely with P&W to assess and minimize any potential impact to our fleet," a spokesperson for IndiGo said.
In India, IndiGo and Go First are the users of PW1100-run A320neo family aircraft, and industry experts expect minimal impact on domestic carriers. The latest issue revolves around the metal used in manufacturing the parts of a PW-1100G engine. In 2019, the Indian civil aviation regulator had ordered IndiGo and Go First to modify some A320neo aircraft fitted with P&W engines due to issues related to in-flight shutdowns.
Out of IndiGo’s fleet of 312 aircraft, 47 are currently grounded due to maintenance work, and shortage of spare engines and parts. IndiGo signed a definitive pact in 2012 with P&W for PurePower PW1100G-JM engines for 150 A320neo family aircraft. The airline had then switched to another US engine maker CFM for LEAP-1A engine for a total of 590 IndiGo A320neo family aircraft.
P&W estimates that the PW1100 engine fleet, which powers the A320neo, will experience the most significant impact due to production volumes during this period. Based on the current assessment, the company anticipates by mid-September that around 200 PW1100 engines will be removed for enhanced inspection. Beyond the initial 200 engines, the company also anticipates that around 1,000 additional PW1100
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