Philippine Airlines Faces Potential Grounding of Two More A321neo Aircraft Due to Engine Maintenance Backlogs

In a challenging turn of events, Philippine Airlines (PR) President Stanley Ng anticipates the grounding of up to two additional A321neo aircraft. This setback is attributed to maintenance backlogs for Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines, a situation exacerbated by recently discovered powder metal issues affecting specific engine components.

Currently, PAL operates five out of its eight A321neo aircraft, while three out of six A321-200Ns remain grounded at Manila Ninoy Aquino International. Meanwhile, both A321-200NX planes continue to be in service.

Speaking at the recent AAPA Assembly of Presidents in Singapore, Ng expressed uncertainty regarding the delivery timetable for the remaining thirteen A321neo aircraft. Consequently, the airline is compelled to rely on its A320ceo family fleet as a contingency solution whenever other neo aircraft face grounding. PAL, including its subsidiary PAL Express, manages fifteen A320-200s and twenty-two A321-200s.

The intricacies of this situation extend to the operational challenges posed by the longest stage length routes within PAL’s current A321neo network. Notably, flights from Manila to Brisbane International and Perth International involve scheduled block times exceeding seven hours. These routes present a unique challenge as replacing the grounded neo family aircraft with older-generation ceo aircraft is not a seamless alternative.

The airline industry closely watches how Philippine Airlines navigates these challenges, emphasizing the broader impact on its operations and the intricate balance between aircraft availability and ongoing maintenance concerns.