Pratt & Whitney PW1000

This week’s Flight Friday looks at aircraft ground days in the narrowbody sector, split by the CFM56, LEAP, PW1000G (GTF), and V2500 engines.

Though the commercial aviation aftermarket grew briskly in the first quarter (Q1), supply chain problems are weighing on the engine segment.

Given the accounting change, Spirit Airlines now estimates it will recognize roughly $1.6 million of credits from grounded aircraft in the first quarter.

Engine manufacturer is building up its aftermarket presence in Florida.

The Swiss MRO is investing in its shop in Zurich to ready it for the first GTF induction.

The timing of the latest mandate is expected to prompt a final spike in engine removals.

The deferrals will push Airbus A320neo family aircraft deliveries scheduled between the second quarter of 2025 and the end of 2026 to 2030-31

Operators had about 670 PW1000G-powered aircraft on the ground at the beginning of April, up from 625 on March 1 and 580 on Feb. 1.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Boeing’s new leadership in Commercial Airplanes and at the top are likely just the beginning of major changes at the manufacturing giant.

The new regional carrier signed an agreement with the engine OEM covering PW127M engines powering its ATR 72-600s.

Capacity constraints will prevent a full recovery within Europe’s short-haul market this summer, dampening traffic growth but signaling higher yields for LCCs.

German MRO saw a record number of shop visits across its network in 2023.

Korean Air has started construction of a new aircraft engine maintenance cluster in Unbuk, near Incheon International Airport.

The German MRO is planning a series of mid-term investments in areas such as capacity growth.

While Swiss International Air Lines works to mitigate the impact of GTF-related groundings, CEO Dieter Vranckx is looking ahead to what will replace its 777s.

For decades, aircraft manufacturers have preferred derivatives over all-new aircraft. That approach appears to be ending.

This week’s #FlightFriday looks at the A320 family, and their breakdown of their average flight cycles per month showcased by their engine type.

Unplanned PW1000G inspections strain Pratt & Whitney’s parts supply chain.

AirBaltic’s 2023 passenger numbers rose 36% to 6.9 million, resulting in the highest revenue and profit figures in the company’s 28-year history.

The ULCC is mitigating the inspections' effects though aircraft lease extensions, taking contracted deliveries of new aircraft, and sourcing interim capacity.

An airline operator pre-working group will guide plans for the commercial blended wing body as subscale flight tests pave way for a multirole demonstrator.

MTU Aero Engines continues to seek financial compensation from its partner Pratt & Whitney after GTF-related costs led to the German company's first ever loss.

Will the tight engine leasing market ease in the next couple of years? Panelists at Aviation Week’s Engine Leasing, Trading & Finance Americas have their say.

The Mexican ULCC believes inspections of GTF engines will extend into 2026 despite the powerplant’s manufacturer Pratt & Whitney increasing shop capacity.