P&W To Recall Airbus A320 Engines, IndiGo Says Working To Minimize Impact On Fleet

It seems like the problems with the Pratt & Whitney engines are not ending, as the engine maker has discovered a problem that could cause parts to wear out more quickly. RTX crop, the parent company of P&W said that a “rare condition” in powder metal used to manufacture certain parts made between late 2015 and mid-2021 will require speeded-up fleet inspections. The problem will impact the a large number of Airbus passenger jets, as the plane maker will need to have their engines removed and inspected, potentially adding to stress on airlines during the remainder of a hectic summer travel season, reported AP.

Among those impacted by the possible recall of the engines is the Indian low cost airline IndiGo, with a fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 planes. The engine involved is most often used to power the Airbus A320neo, a midsize jet popular for short and medium-distance flights. The company said it expects that about 200 of Pratt PW1100 engines will need to be pulled off and inspected by mid-September, and another 1,000 engines will need inspections in the next nine to 12 months.

Indian low-cost airline IndiGo has nearly 140, Air China has 43, Germany's Lufthansa has 37, and Mexico's Volaris has 35. Among US carriers, Spirit Airlines received 34 of the planes, Hawaiian Airlines has 18 and JetBlue Airways 16, according to aviation analysis site Cirium.

InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo airlines, said that it is in contact with engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney to thoroughly evaluate any potential implications on its fleet. "We are in receipt of the information from 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 minimise any potential impact to our fleet," said the spokesperson in a statement.

"Specifically, approximately 1,200 engines necessitate removal and inspection due to the possibility of micro cracks indicating fatigue. The issue stems from microscopic contaminants found in a specific metal used within the engine's high-pressure turbine discs, a critical part of the engine core," RTX said on Tuesday.

Last month, the airlines made a groundbreaking announcement regarding the placing of an order for a staggering 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, scheduled to be delivered between 2030 and 2035. The purchase agreement was finalised at the Paris Air Show 2023, with representatives from IndiGo and Airbus present, reported PTI.

IndiGo had earlier confirmed that the engine selection and the precise mix of A320 and A321 aircraft will be determined in due course. IndiGo's order comprises a combination of A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR aircraft.

On the other hand, the Go First airline blamed Pratt & Whitney for the crisis, resulting in the air carrier to file for bankruptcy. A Singapore based court ordered P&W to deliver engines to Go First so that the airline can restart its operations.