Wizz Air announced that it will have to ground approximately 40 Airbus A320neo family aircraft in its fleet until 2026 due to issues with Pratt & Whitney engines. To mitigate the impact, the airline has signed a commercial support agreement with the engine manufacturer.
40 Aircraft to Be Taken Out of Service
According to the announcement, the issues are linked to powder metal problems specifically affecting PW1100G-JM turbofan engines. This problem will result in around 20% of the airline’s A320neo fleet being withdrawn from operation. Wizz Air anticipates that approximately 40 aircraft will need to remain out of service at any given time due to required inspections.
Airline officials stated that the agreement with Pratt & Whitney includes an operational support and compensation package aimed at alleviating the financial impact. The agreement is designed to cover the costs associated with the grounded or to-be-grounded aircraft. Wizz Air’s statement included the following:
“The support received from Pratt & Whitney is intended to address operational support and costs related to grounded aircraft under the terms of the commercial support agreement, which will run through the end of the 2026 calendar year.”
Wizz Air’s Future Plans: 2026 and Beyond
By 2026, Wizz Air aims to return to its growth plans. The airline plans to add 50 new Airbus A321neo aircraft to its fleet, increasing seating capacity by approximately 20%. These aircraft, which are expected to replace the A320ceo family, promise improved fuel efficiency and sustainable operations.
Current Status of Wizz Air’s Fleet
Wizz Air currently operates a fleet of 167 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, distributed as follows:
| Company | Airbus A320neo | Airbus A321neo |
|---|---|---|
| Wizz Air (Hungary) | 3 | 62 |
| Wizz Air Malta | 6 | 74 |
| Wizz Air UK | – | 18 |
| Wizz Air Abu Dhabi | – | 4 |
| Total | 9 | 158 |
Additionally, Wizz Air placed an order for 75 more Airbus A321neo aircraft in August 2023, bringing its total commitment to 565 aircraft.
Powder Metal Issues: P&W’s Ongoing Challenge
Pratt & Whitney has had to inspect over 1,000 engines manufactured between 2015 and 2021 due to powder metal problems, significantly impacting the operations of Airbus A320neo and other aircraft. As part of these inspections, an additional 600 to 700 engines are expected to be removed from service between 2023 and 2026.
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