Engine Failure Impacting Travel in Budapest: Wizz Air Affected by Technical Issues

Published: 2023-07-28

Recent engine failures in the Pratt & Whitney engines used in the Airbus A320 family has resulted in the grounding and inspection of 1,200 engines. Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air is among the airlines affected by this issue.

There have been issues with the Pratt & Whitney engines, specifically with microscopic contaminants found in the metal powder used in the turbine blades of the high-pressure stages. Engines produced between 2015 and 2021 are affected, requiring inspection and potentially replacement of the component.

Wizz Air, along with other operators, is facing substantial engine inspections and repairs. Approximately 200 engines are due for overhaul by mid-September and an additional 1,000 engines within the next 9-12 months. This represents around 40% of the PW1100G-JM engines currently in service.

While there is no immediate safety concern, the inspection and repair of an engine can take up to 60 days. Pratt & Whitney is making efforts to minimize downtime for operators. However, previous engine failures have resulted in grounded aircraft due to lack of replacement engines, parts supply issues, and limited service capacity.

Pratt & Whitney has clarified that the engines currently in production are not affected by the issue. Airbus has stated that no delays in aircraft deliveries are expected. However, the news of the engine failures led to falling shares for companies such as Spirit, Jetblue, and Wizz Air.

What is the issue with Pratt & Whitney engines affecting travel in Budapest? A component used in the manufacture of a new generation Pratt & Whitney engine does not comply with the specifications. This means that 1,200 engines from the Airbus A320 family have to be taken out of service and inspected. The Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air is also affected.

What has been found in the Pratt & Whitney engines? Microscopic contaminants have been found in the metal powder used in the turbine blades of the high-pressure stages of engines produced between 2015 and 2021.

What will happen to the affected engines? The affected units must be inspected and, if necessary, the component will be replaced. The engines will then be reassembled and returned to the operator.

Is there a safety concern with the engine failure? While the failure does not pose an immediate safety concern, it has resulted in grounding some aircraft due to a lack of replacement engines, parts supply problems, and limited service capacity for time-consuming repairs.

How many engines are affected by the issue? Around 1,200 engines from the PW1100G-JM family, which represents approximately 40 percent of the engines in service, will require inspection and potential repairs.

How long does it take to inspect and repair an engine? According to RTX CEO Greg Hayes, it can take up to 60 days to inspect and repair an engine.

Are the engines currently in production affected? No, the engines currently in production are not affected by the issue.

Will there be any delays in aircraft deliveries? Airbus has stated that no delays in aircraft deliveries are expected.

How have the share prices of airlines been affected? Shares of Pratt & Whitney's parent company RTX were falling as a result of the engine issue. Wizz Air shares were down around 3.2 percent in London.

Is there any new information regarding flights to Budapest? There is no new information regarding flights to Budapest in relation to the engine issue.