UPDATE: Airbus is grappling with a severe crisis as engine shortages from Pratt & Whitney have grounded 22% of its A220 fleet. This urgent situation has emerged due to production delays and maintenance issues, significantly impacting the aircraft’s commercial viability.
The problems stem from the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines, which have experienced durability issues leading to premature wear and the need for frequent maintenance. As of mid-October, 79 of the 367 A220s currently flying are out of service, severely affecting airlines that rely on this aircraft.
Airbus customers are feeling the pinch, with carriers like SWISS grounding their A220-100 fleet for up to 18 months due to reliability concerns. CEO Jens Fehlinger stated, “We expect around 10 aircraft to be unproductive next year because of technical problems,” highlighting the operational impact of these issues.
In addition to SWISS, Air Austral has announced it will retire its entire A220-300 fleet due to ongoing engine failures. The airline, based in the Indian Ocean, has faced significant operational challenges, with Chairman Hugues Marchessaux stating, “We believe we have no other choice … to stabilize the company.”
The engine shortages are exacerbated by recent industrial action at Pratt & Whitney, where 3,000 workers went on strike, halting critical maintenance work. After 22 days, the strike ended with workers ratifying a new contract, but the backlog remains significant.
In another alarming statistic, a report from the Wall Street Journal revealed that as of August 2024, 42% of A220s had either been inspected or were due for inspection, suggesting that more aircraft may be grounded as inspections proceed.
Airbus has also reduced its monthly production targets for the A220 from 14 to 12 aircraft for 2026. Currently, 32 assembled aircraft across both A320neo and A220 families are awaiting engines, down from a peak of 60.
Despite these challenges, Airbus aims to deliver 820 commercial jets in 2025, but achieving this ambitious target is becoming increasingly uncertain. The situation poses a critical threat to Airbus’s financial stability, especially as some airlines begin to explore alternatives.
As the situation develops, the impact on Airbus’s reputation and market share could be profound. The stakes are high, and unless Pratt & Whitney can resolve these engine issues promptly, the shortages are expected to persist, casting a long shadow over Airbus’s future in the competitive aviation market.
This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
