Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), based in Zurich, anticipates that the number of A220 aircraft grounded due to ongoing Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engine issues will rise to as many as 14 in 2024. This information comes from the airline’s head of operations, Oliver Buchhofer.
According to Swiss media outlet AeroTELEGRAPH, SWISS is preparing for the possibility that the engine grounding issues will continue until 2026.
Earlier this year, SWISS reported that it was engaged in “constructive” discussions with Pratt & Whitney regarding the engine problems. However, no further announcements about compensation for the Zurich-based carrier have been made.
The ch-aviation fleets module reveals that SWISS currently has three A220-300s, four A320-200Ns, and two A321-200NX inactive. In total, the airline operates a fleet of 88 aircraft.
To cope with the grounding of its aircraft, SWISS is relying heavily on wet-leased planes. The current wet-lease fleet includes nine A220-300s from airBaltic and a mix of six E190s, three E190-E2s, and four E195-E2s from Helvetic Airways.
