IndiGo Provides Update on Pratt & Whitney Engine Issue, Anticipates Grounding 35 Aircraft in Q1 2024

IndiGo Airlines (6E), a major player in the Indian aviation market, has shared additional details regarding the impact of the Pratt & Whitney powder metal issue on its fleet. The low-cost carrier now expects around 35 aircraft to be grounded during the first quarter of 2024 due to the ongoing concerns related to the engine manufacturer.

In a statement released on November 7, 2023, IndiGo acknowledged the heightened possibility of increased engine removals in the January-March quarter, leading to a higher number of groundings attributed to the powder metal issue. The airline clarified that these groundings would be additional to the existing aircraft already on the ground.

Currently operating a fleet of 178 A320-200Ns and ninety-four A321-200NX, IndiGo has thirty-four A320-200Ns and eleven A321-200NX out of service, as per ch-aviation fleets advanced data, citing various reasons for these groundings. The airline has a significant order book with Airbus, with another 954 neo narrowbodies on order.

The November statement affirmed IndiGo’s commitment to working closely with Pratt & Whitney to gather more information and address the situation. The airline aims to implement mitigation measures to minimize the impact of these Aircraft on Ground (AOGs) on its capacity in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24 and beyond. Despite the challenges, IndiGo expressed confidence in meeting its long-term capacity guidance.

This update provides insights into the ongoing collaboration between IndiGo and Pratt & Whitney, shedding light on the measures being taken to navigate the challenges posed by the engine issues and reassuring stakeholders about the airline’s future capacity outlook.