Turkish Airlines, the national carrier of Turkey, is facing disruptions as they anticipate grounding a significant portion of their Airbus fleet. This grounding is due to mandatory inspections required for the Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PW1100G geared turbofan (GTF) engines that power many of their Airbus A320neo family jets.
By Aditya M
The Scope of the Grounding
According to a recent earnings call, Turkish Airlines expects to ground between 40 and 45 of its Airbus narrowbody jets. This represents a substantial portion of the airline's Airbus A320neo family fleet, which stood at around 66 aircraft at the end of March 2024. As of May 2024, the airline has already grounded around 20-25 aircraft. The grounding is expected to continue throughout the rest of 2024 and potentially into 2025.
The Cause of the Grounding
The grounding stems from a mandatory inspection requirement imposed on PW1100G engines. These engines, manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, have been flagged for concerns about potentially contaminated metal in certain components. This contamination could lead to cracks in the engine parts, posing a safety risk.
Impact and Mitigation Strategies
The grounding of such a large number of aircraft will undoubtedly have an impact on Turkish Airlines' operations. The airline is likely to face challenges such as flight cancellations, delays, and potential rescheduling. To mitigate these disruptions, Turkish Airlines has outlined steps they are taking, though the details haven't been made public yet.
Looking Ahead
The situation remains fluid, and the exact number of grounded aircraft could fluctuate based on the latest information from Pratt & Whitney. Turkish Airlines is working to address the issue and minimize passenger inconvenience. Passengers flying with Turkish Airlines in the coming months are advised to stay updated on their flight status and be prepared for potential schedule changes.
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