Proactive Investors - Thousands of Pratt & Whitney engines used to power Airbus A320neos could be affected by manufacturing issues, the supplier has warned.
Some 1,200 engines could well be affected by an issue involving microscopic contaminants used in parts of the power units, prompting a potential need for checks and flight groundings.
London-listed Wizz Air Holdings PLC (LON:WIZZ) is set to be among those affected, having received 12 issue-struck Pratt & Whitney-powered A320 variants between 2015 and 2021.
Wizz confirmed the issues could hit capacity by a “mid-single digit” through a spokesperson while reassuring strong demand and higher pricing would still ensure profitability.
Lufthansa (LON:0H4A) and Turkish Airlines (IS:THYAO) are also among the European carriers that took deliveries of the models at the time, though the full list of companies affected remains to be seen.
The extent to which Pratt & Whitney will need to recall engines and the number of affected units is still unclear too, with checks anticipated to start come September.
“Based on the current assessment, Pratt anticipates by mid-September that approximately 200 engines will be removed for enhanced inspection,” Chris Calio, president of Pratt & Whitney parent RTX, said.
A further 1,000 could well need inspecting by mid-2024, the company added.
Given restraints already hitting the aviation industry, consulting firm AirInsight said the issues were set to hit “at a really awkward time”.
Manufacturer’s supply issues and air traffic control constraints have already plagued the sector, which is grappling with a post-Covid-19 boom in demand.