Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns

Post originally Published April 25, 2024 || Last Updated April 25, 2024

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Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Impact on Operations and Schedule Disruptions


The Pratt & Whitney engine recall has forced Volaris, a Mexican airline, to ground around 73 aircraft, or 20% of its fleet, leading to significant operational impacts and schedule disruptions.

The engine issue is expected to result in a reduction in Volaris' capacity of up to 18% in 2024, and the airline has been forced to revise its earnings expectations.

Volaris is actively working to mitigate the impact of the engine recall, including entering into an agreement with Pratt & Whitney to accelerate inspections and remove affected engines.

The airline has also announced plans to address supply chain disruptions caused by the recall.

The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine recall has forced Volaris, a Mexican airline, to ground around 73 aircraft, or 20% of its total fleet, due to disk concerns.

The engine recall is estimated to impact 15-20% of Volaris' and Viva Aerobus' (another Mexican airline) total fleets, necessitating adjustments to their operations and schedules.

Volaris is actively working with Pratt & Whitney to accelerate inspections and remove the affected engines, with an agreement expected in the next month on the initial round of mandatory engine inspections.

Despite the engine issues, Volaris anticipates increasing its international capacity by 19% in the fourth quarter of 2024, showcasing the airline's resilience in the face of operational challenges.

Pratt & Whitney has unveiled a roadmap to overcome the ongoing issues impacting its GTF engines, with more GTF engines being returned to service than entering maintenance, indicating progress in resolving the problems.

The company asserts that the durability of its GTF engines holds up better than the V2500 engines, which power the Airbus A320ceo, potentially providing a long-term advantage once the current issues are resolved.

What else is in this post?

  1. Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Impact on Operations and Schedule Disruptions
  2. Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Engine Recall - Pratt & Whitney's Quality Concerns
  3. Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Fleet Composition - Airbus A320neo and A321neo Grounding
  4. Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Navigating the Technical Challenges
  5. Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Contingency Planning and Customer Support Initiatives
  6. Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Long-term Fleet Renewal and Engine Procurement Strategy

Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Engine Recall - Pratt & Whitney's Quality Concerns


Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, is recalling 600-700 engines from 2023 to 2026 due to a manufacturing flaw in its Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines.

This recall is expected to ground an average of 350 aircraft per year through 2026, significantly disrupting the global aviation industry.

The issue is linked to microscopic cracks in the high-pressure turbine disks, caused by impurities in the powdered metal used to produce the engines.

This recall will have a substantial financial impact, with estimates suggesting the total cost of repair and compensation to airlines could reach up to $7 billion.

Pratt & Whitney's recall of 600-700 Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines from 2023 to 2026 is expected to ground an average of 350 aircraft per year during this period.

The recall is primarily due to a manufacturing flaw related to microscopic cracks in the high-pressure turbine disks, caused by impurities in the powdered metal used to produce the engines.

The recall will impact over 1,200 Airbus A320neo jets, forcing airlines to remove the engines for inspection and repair, which is now projected to take up to 300 days per engine.

The total cost of the recall, including repair and compensation to airlines, is estimated to reach up to $7 billion for Pratt & Whitney's parent company, RTX.

Volaris, a Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier, has grounded 20% of its fleet (73 aircraft) due to the Pratt & Whitney engine concerns, leading to significant operational disruptions.

The repair process for Volaris' affected engines is expected to take 250-300 days per engine, which may significantly impact the airline's operations and schedule.

Pratt & Whitney has acknowledged the durability of its GTF engines, which they claim holds up better than the V2500 engines powering the Airbus A320ceo, potentially providing a long-term advantage once the current issues are resolved.

Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Fleet Composition - Airbus A320neo and A321neo Grounding


Volaris, a Mexican airline, has grounded 20% of its fleet due to concerns over Pratt & Whitney engines in its Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

The engine issues are related to a potential problem with the high-pressure compressor, which could lead to engine failure.

This is a separate issue from previous problems with the engine's fan blade.

The grounding affects around 120 daily flights, and Volaris is working to minimize the impact by reaccommodating passengers and adjusting its flight schedule.

The airline is collaborating with Pratt & Whitney and Airbus to resolve the issue as soon as possible, but a specific timeline for the aircraft's return to service has not been provided.

The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine issue has led to the grounding of 267 aircraft out of the global fleet of 1,378 Airbus A320neo and A321neo planes equipped with these engines, representing 19% of the total fleet.

Wizz Air, a European ultra-low-cost carrier, had all 12 of its A320-271N aircraft grounded between January 1st and mid-February 2024 due to the Pratt & Whitney engine problems.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines has grounded 18 of its Airbus A320neo aircraft, affecting over a quarter of its Neo fleet, to address the engine concerns.

The Pratt & Whitney engine recall is expected to ground an average of 350 aircraft per year from 2023 to 2026, significantly disrupting the global aviation industry.

The issue with the Pratt & Whitney engines is linked to microscopic cracks in the high-pressure turbine disks, caused by impurities in the powdered metal used to produce the engines.

Pratt & Whitney has unveiled a roadmap to overcome the ongoing issues impacting its GTF engines, with more GTF engines being returned to service than entering maintenance, indicating progress in resolving the problems.

The total cost of the Pratt & Whitney engine recall, including repair and compensation to airlines, is estimated to reach up to $7 billion for the company's parent, RTX.

Pratt & Whitney claims that the durability of its GTF engines holds up better than the V2500 engines powering the Airbus A320ceo, potentially providing a long-term advantage once the current issues are resolved.

Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Navigating the Technical Challenges


Volaris, a Mexican airline, is facing significant operational challenges due to the Pratt & Whitney engine recall affecting 20% of its fleet.

The company is working closely with Pratt & Whitney and Airbus to address the technical issues, which are related to a potential problem with the high-pressure compressor that could lead to engine failure.

Volaris is adjusting its flight schedules and reaccommodating passengers to minimize the impact on its operations.

Despite these setbacks, the airline remains focused on resolving the issue and returning its grounded aircraft to service as soon as possible.

The recall of Pratt & Whitney's PW1100G engines affects around 1,200 Airbus A320neo jets globally, forcing airlines to remove the engines for inspection and repair, which is now projected to take up to 300 days per engine.

Pratt & Whitney's engine recall is expected to ground an average of 350 aircraft per year from 2023 to 2026, significantly disrupting the global aviation industry and impacting around 19% of the total Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet.

The issue with the Pratt & Whitney engines is linked to microscopic cracks in the high-pressure turbine disks, caused by impurities in the powdered metal used to produce the engines, resulting in a potential for engine failure.

The total cost of the Pratt & Whitney engine recall, including repair and compensation to airlines, is estimated to reach up to $7 billion for the company's parent, RTX, making it a significant financial burden.

Volaris, a Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier, has grounded 20% of its fleet (73 aircraft) due to the Pratt & Whitney engine concerns, leading to significant operational disruptions and a reduction in capacity of up to 18% in

The repair process for Volaris' affected engines is expected to take 250-300 days per engine, which may significantly impact the airline's operations and schedule, requiring careful planning and mitigation strategies.

Wizz Air, a European ultra-low-cost carrier, had all 12 of its A320-271N aircraft grounded between January 1st and mid-February 2024 due to the Pratt & Whitney engine problems, highlighting the widespread impact on the industry.

Pratt & Whitney has acknowledged the durability of its GTF engines, claiming they hold up better than the V2500 engines powering the Airbus A320ceo, potentially providing a long-term advantage once the current issues are resolved.

Despite the engine issues, Volaris anticipates increasing its international capacity by 19% in the fourth quarter of 2024, showcasing the airline's resilience and ability to adapt to the challenges posed by the Pratt & Whitney engine recall.

Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Contingency Planning and Customer Support Initiatives


Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns

Volaris Airlines is facing significant operational challenges due to the grounding of 20% of its fleet over Pratt & Whitney engine concerns.

The airline is actively working with Pratt & Whitney and Airbus to address the technical issues and minimize disruptions to its operations.

Contingency planning and robust customer support initiatives are crucial during this period, ensuring Volaris can provide reassurance to its customers and maintain its flight schedule as much as possible.

The airline is exploring various mitigation strategies, including flight schedule adjustments and passenger reaccommodation, to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by the Pratt & Whitney engine recall.

Volaris has allocated 80% of the total cost associated with the Pratt & Whitney engine issue towards customer assistance and compensation, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting its passengers.

Volaris is still in ongoing discussions with Pratt & Whitney to finalize the terms of compensation for affected customers, ensuring fair and transparent resolution of the issue.

Volaris has selected Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines to power an additional 64 A321neo aircraft, despite the current engine concerns, indicating confidence in the long-term reliability of the engines.

The Volaris-Pratt & Whitney agreement includes a long-term engine maintenance program called EngineWise®, which aims to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the airline's operations.

Volaris' fleet modernization strategy, involving the selection of Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines, is part of the airline's commitment to improving fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability.

The Pratt & Whitney engine recall is expected to ground an average of 350 aircraft per year from 2023 to 2026, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the global aviation industry.

Pratt & Whitney claims that the durability of its GTF engines holds up better than the V2500 engines powering the Airbus A320ceo, potentially providing a long-term advantage once the current issues are resolved.

Vietnam Airlines has also decided to ground 12 jets for up to 300 days due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, demonstrating the widespread impact of the problem across the industry.

Viva Aerobus, another Mexican airline, estimates that 15-20% of its total fleet will be impacted by the Pratt & Whitney engine issue, with a review scheduled between 2024 and

Wizz Air, a European ultra-low-cost carrier, had all 12 of its A320-271N aircraft grounded between January 1st and mid-February 2024 due to the Pratt & Whitney engine problems, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Volaris Grounds 20% of Fleet Over Pratt & Whitney Engine Concerns - Long-term Fleet Renewal and Engine Procurement Strategy


Volaris, a Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier, is addressing the Pratt & Whitney engine concerns through a comprehensive long-term fleet renewal and engine procurement strategy.

The airline has ordered 143 A320neo Family aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, to support its continuous fleet modernization and expansion.

Volaris is exploring various options, including engine upgrades, lease agreements, and new engine procurement, to mitigate the issues and enhance operational efficiency.

By prioritizing investments in modern and efficient engines and aircraft, Volaris aims to reduce operational expenses, improve passenger comfort, and maintain its competitiveness in the market.

Volaris is committed to operating an all-NEO fleet by 2028, with a firm order for 143 A320neo Family aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.

Volaris has reached a compensation agreement with Pratt & Whitney for each GTF engine that has been removed from its fleet due to the engine issues.

Pratt & Whitney will provide Volaris with engine maintenance through an EngineWise Maintenance long-term agreement, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the airline's operations.

Volaris is exploring various options, including engine upgrades, lease agreements, and new engine procurement, to mitigate the engine concerns and enhance operational efficiency.

Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines are claimed to have better durability compared to the V2500 engines powering the Airbus A320ceo, potentially providing a long-term advantage once the current issues are resolved.

The total cost of the Pratt & Whitney engine recall, including repair and compensation to airlines, is estimated to reach up to $7 billion for the company's parent, RTX.

Volaris has allocated 80% of the total cost associated with the Pratt & Whitney engine issue towards customer assistance and compensation, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting its passengers.

Volaris is still in ongoing discussions with Pratt & Whitney to finalize the terms of compensation for affected customers, ensuring fair and transparent resolution of the issue.

Despite the current engine concerns, Volaris has selected Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines to power an additional 64 A321neo aircraft, indicating confidence in the long-term reliability of the engines.

Viva Aerobus, another Mexican airline, estimates that 15-20% of its total fleet will be impacted by the Pratt & Whitney engine issue, highlighting the widespread impact across the industry.

Vietnam Airlines has also decided to ground 12 jets for up to 300 days due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, further demonstrating the global scale of the problem.

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