According to senior officials, India’s aviation authority intervened after 60 Airbus A320 aircraft of budget airlines Go First and IndiGo with Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines were grounded because of maintenance issues and a lack of spare components. According to officials, the carriers are experiencing significant operational problems as a result of the grounding of 36 IndiGo and 24 Go First aircraft because of supply chain issues and problems with MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facilities’ ability to work with certain hardware.
Over 300 aircraft operated by IndiGo are powered by Pratt & Whitney
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) raised the concern with Pratt & Whitney and informed them of the grounding of the A320 fleet of Indian airlines as a result of a scarcity of Pratt & Whitney engines. Go First Airline looks to be experiencing issues as a result of this situation, according to a civil aviation ministry official. Over 300 aircraft operated by IndiGo are powered by Pratt & Whitney and CFM International engines. In 61 of Go First’s aircraft, Pratt & Whitney engines are used.
Pratt & Whitney stated that it is actively trying to improve the situation by enhancing the performance of its supply chain and the accessibility of necessary parts at its repair facilities. Later this year, we anticipate that strains on the industry’s supply chain will ease, supporting an increase in the production of new and overhauled engines. In the interim, we are exploring ways to increase engine endurance in hot and demanding working settings in addition to directly supporting our suppliers logistically. In addition to the three existing maintenance facilities in Asia—in China, Japan, and Singapore—P&W needs to build a fourth. It would facilitate speeding up and saving money on engine transportation to the company’s MRO facilities.
It would facilitate speeding up and saving money on engine transportation to the company’s MRO facilities
During previous meetings with Pratt & Whitney personnel, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation brought up the topic of adding one additional facility and requested that an MRO be established in or near India to support the Indian fleet of Pratt & Whitney engines. Even though there are challenges with the global supply chain as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, Pratt & Whitney engines have had issues for a long time.
In 2019, Pratt & Whitney and AIESL (Air India Engineering Service Ltd) inked a contract stipulating that Pratt & Whitney staff will perform maintenance and teach AIESL staff. After the deal, two engines were added. The Covid-19 outbreak prevented any work from being done at the AIESL plant, forcing the Pratt & Whitney crew to leave for the United States. Additionally, P&W lent equipment was returned.