A320neo delay may derail plans of IndiGo and GoAir
, ET Bureau|
Updated: Feb 12, 2018, 07.29 AM IST
Following engine problem warning, IndiGo has already grounded three A320 neo planes that are powered by P&W engines.
MUMBAI: Airbus SE's decision to halt deliveries of its A320neo planes is likely to impact the expansion plans of low fare carriers IndiGo and GoAir, two of the European aircraft maker's most prominent customers for the plane.
The two together account for 40% of all A320neo (new engine options) planes that have been globally delivered so far. While IndiGo has 45 A320neo planes in operation, GoAir has 13. The two carriers have more than 450 pending deliveries.
On Friday, Airbus with engine maker Pratt & Whitney told customers that it was postponing all neo deliveries till further notice after the latest disclosure in a series of glitches on the geared turbo fan engine that power the planes.
"Pratt & Whitney, with the support of Airbus, is in close contact with customers to address the results of a recent finding related to the knife edge seal in the high pressure compressor (HPC) aft hub on the PW1100G-JM engine powering the A320neo. This issue is isolated to a limited subpopulation of engines," the engine maker said in a statement.
"We have identified the potentially affected engines and communicated with our customers. As a precaution, aircraft with these engines will be addressed in a manner consistent with the operational instructions issued by Airbus and coordinated between Airbus and Pratt & Whitney as needed," it added. Three of IndiGo's 45 planes have been grounded as a result of the glitches. Go Air's planes haven't been impacted yet.
The new engines have been facing issues for two years, forcing customers to push back expansion plans. People, who are close to the development, have said Go Air has had to postpone its planned international foray as a result of the glitches. IndiGo has large-scale plans for the Neos, including flying them on short hail international routes.
The airline has sought permission to launch flights to countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore and some destinations in West Asia. A chunk of the orders will be converted to the stretched A321s that will be used to fly to Bahrain and Kuwait. The airline said it is expecting deliveries of A320ceos — the older version of the plane — which will help in its expansion.
The two together account for 40% of all A320neo (new engine options) planes that have been globally delivered so far. While IndiGo has 45 A320neo planes in operation, GoAir has 13. The two carriers have more than 450 pending deliveries.
On Friday, Airbus with engine maker Pratt & Whitney told customers that it was postponing all neo deliveries till further notice after the latest disclosure in a series of glitches on the geared turbo fan engine that power the planes.
"Pratt & Whitney, with the support of Airbus, is in close contact with customers to address the results of a recent finding related to the knife edge seal in the high pressure compressor (HPC) aft hub on the PW1100G-JM engine powering the A320neo. This issue is isolated to a limited subpopulation of engines," the engine maker said in a statement.
"We have identified the potentially affected engines and communicated with our customers. As a precaution, aircraft with these engines will be addressed in a manner consistent with the operational instructions issued by Airbus and coordinated between Airbus and Pratt & Whitney as needed," it added. Three of IndiGo's 45 planes have been grounded as a result of the glitches. Go Air's planes haven't been impacted yet.
The new engines have been facing issues for two years, forcing customers to push back expansion plans. People, who are close to the development, have said Go Air has had to postpone its planned international foray as a result of the glitches. IndiGo has large-scale plans for the Neos, including flying them on short hail international routes.
The airline has sought permission to launch flights to countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore and some destinations in West Asia. A chunk of the orders will be converted to the stretched A321s that will be used to fly to Bahrain and Kuwait. The airline said it is expecting deliveries of A320ceos — the older version of the plane — which will help in its expansion.
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