Airbus Engine Troubles Ground Delta, Air Canada Fleets Amid Supply Chain Struggles

Airbus, which has been seeking to capitalize on Boeing’s setbacks, is now facing its own significant challenges, particularly with the engines on its smaller A220 models. According to a Wall Street Journal report, these engines, manufactured by Pratt & Whitney (a subsidiary of RTX), are experiencing durability issues, forcing several aircraft to remain grounded.

Analytics firm IBA reveals that over 20% of Air Canada’s fleet and more than 10% of Delta Air Lines’ planes are currently grounded. The root cause is a flaw in Pratt & Whitney’s turbofan engine, which now requires inspections after just 5,000 miles of flight, a stark contrast to the expected 20,000 miles.

Airbus had hoped to seize market share following the slowdown in Boeing’s operations. However, the European aerospace giant has been hit by its own manufacturing constraints. In June, Airbus announced it would reduce its projected plane deliveries for the year.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury acknowledged the supply chain issues during a July earnings call, emphasizing the challenges in maintaining transparency and cooperation across their operations. Despite these efforts, the company has struggled to meet delivery targets, impacting airlines relying on the A220 model.

While Airbus works to resolve these issues, airlines like Delta and Air Canada continue to face operational disruptions.