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Pratt & Whitney

Mirabel, Canada: Airbus Canada and Pratt & Whitney have declared that the technical issues that disrupted the Airbus A220 programme for several years are nearing resolution, with both companies expecting no A220 aircraft to remain grounded due to geared turbofan (GTF) engine problems by the end of 2026. The update was shared during a media briefing at Airbus Canada's A220 final assembly facility in Mirabel, Québec, where company executives outlined the programme's improving operational outlook. According to reporting by Leeham News & Analysis, only around 2% to 3% of grounded A220 aircraft are now out of service because of GTF engine-related issues, a sharp improvement from previous years when engine durability problems forced airlines to ground significant portions of their fleets. Guillaume Chevasson, Head of the A220 Programme and Chief Executive of Airbus Canada, said the programme had turned a corner after years of supply chain disruptions and engine-related operational challenges. "The AOG (Aircraft on Ground) crisis is over," Chevasson said during the briefing, adding that technical issues affecting the A220 fleet were now "close to zero." He noted that Airbus' collaboration with Pratt & Whitney had strengthened considerably, describing the relationship as being at a "very good level." According to Chevasson, the PW1500G geared turbofan engine is now performing as intended and has reached reliability levels approaching those of the Airbus A320 family. He added that the engine has matured sufficiently for intensive, high-cycle operations typical of regional and short-haul routes. A series of design improvements incorporated into the latest engine standard has significantly enhanced reliability, helping reduce operational disruptions for airlines. Chevasson also said the A220 programme's supply chain, which has been affected by global industrial disruptions in recent years, is showing clear signs of stabilisation. He highlighted the integration of Airbus' Belfast wing manufacturing facility formerly owned by Spirit AeroSystems as another milestone in strengthening programme stability. Bringing the facility under Airbus ownership has provided greater industrial control and improved production resilience, he said. Beyond the current programme recovery, Airbus is also advancing work on a stretched A220 variant, commonly referred to as the A220-500. While no formal launch decision has been taken, Chevasson confirmed that studies have been accelerated and Airbus is working closely with airline customers to develop what he described as a "simple" and "low-risk" aircraft that could be brought to market quickly. The latest update marks a significant milestone for the A220 programme, which has faced years of challenges linked to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine family. The PW1500G powering the A220, along with the PW1100G used on the A320neo family, has been affected by durability issues and inspections stemming from manufacturing defects in powdered metal components, leading to widespread aircraft groundings and maintenance backlogs across the aviation industry. Pratt & Whitney has been expanding maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capacity and implementing design improvements to accelerate engine repairs and reduce turnaround times. Airbus has also repeatedly stated that engine availability and supply chain constraints have been among the primary factors limiting A220 production in recent years. The latest comments from Airbus Canada indicate those efforts are beginning to deliver tangible results, with technical issues now largely resolved and the programme entering a more stable phase as manufacturers work toward eliminating engine-related A220 groundings before the end of 2026.

Airbus, Pratt Say A220 GTF Groundings To End By 2026 As Engine Reliability Improves

Aviation Today News Desk / July 16, 2026

Mirabel, Canada: Airbus Canada and Pratt & Whitney have declared that the technical issues that disrupted the Airbus A220 programme […]

IATA Warns Engine MRO Crisis Could Worsen As Single-Aisle Fleets Expand SEO DES: IATA-Emerton found 648 GTF-powered aircraft, 28% of the fleet, were grounded in March 2025, with maintenance pressures expected to grow further SOCIAL: IATA has warned that growing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) bottlenecks for next-generation aircraft engines are disrupting airline operations worldwide, with spare parts shortages and limited repair capacity causing aircraft groundings. A new IATA-Emerton study found that 648 Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered aircraft, about 28% of the global fleet, were grounded at the peak of the crisis in March 2025. The organization expects maintenance pressures to increase as deliveries of LEAP and GTF engines continue to rise. To address the issue, IATA is calling for faster repair approvals, greater spare parts availability, expanded MRO capacity and increased access for independent maintenance providers to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce operational disruptions. Madrid, Spain: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that growing bottlenecks in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of next-generation aircraft engines are placing increasing pressure on airlines worldwide, urging immediate industry-wide action to prevent further disruption as global fleets continue to expand. The warning accompanies a new study released by IATA in partnership with consulting firm Emerton, titled Single Aisle Aircraft Engines MRO: Strategic Levers to Address Supply Chain Challenges. The report examines the mounting challenges affecting the maintenance ecosystem for the latest-generation single-aisle aircraft engines, particularly CFM International's LEAP engine family and Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines. According to the study, a combination of engine durability concerns, shortages of spare parts, limited availability of spare engines and restricted access to the aftermarket repair sector has significantly disrupted airline operations. The resulting pressures have reduced engine time on wing, increased demand for engine shop visits and complicated maintenance planning for carriers across the globe. The report highlights the scale of the challenge by pointing to the Pratt & Whitney GTF fleet, where the number of grounded aircraft reached a peak in March 2025. At that time, 648 GTF-powered aircraft equivalent to approximately 28% of the global GTF fleet were out of service while awaiting maintenance slots, replacement engines or critical spare parts. Airlines affected by the disruptions were forced to modify fleet strategies by retaining older aircraft longer than planned, extending existing lease agreements, securing additional leased aircraft and adjusting operational capacity. IATA cautioned that the problem is likely to intensify over the coming decade as airlines continue to take delivery of large numbers of fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft. In 2024 alone, manufacturers delivered approximately 2,000 single-aisle engines, including around 800 GTF engines and 1,200 LEAP engines. Between 2030 and 2040, annual deliveries are expected to remain at roughly 3,700 engines per year, consisting of approximately 1,200 GTF engines and 2,500 LEAP engines annually. As these fleets grow, engine maintenance requirements are expected to increase dramatically. The study forecasts annual LEAP engine shop visits will rise from roughly 600–800 visits in 2025 to more than 5,000 by 2040. For Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines, annual shop visits are projected to increase from approximately 1,000 in 2025 to over 2,000 by 2040. Commenting on the findings, Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, said current MRO constraints are already affecting airline operations and warned that the situation will worsen without significant structural changes. While engine manufacturers are investing in additional maintenance capacity, Walsh stressed that capacity expansion alone will not solve the problem. Instead, airlines require improved access to spare parts, a wider range of approved repair solutions, fair access to maintenance capacity and greater competition within the aftermarket sector. To address the crisis, the study identifies several strategic actions that stakeholders across the aviation value chain can implement. One recommendation focuses on increasing the availability of engine components. The report calls for accelerated development and regulatory approval of repair solutions that can reduce component scrappage rates. It also advocates expanding licensed production of critical parts and increasing access to used serviceable material recovered from engine teardowns. Another priority is improving access to the MRO market by removing barriers that limit participation by independent maintenance providers. IATA argues that third-party MRO companies should have fair access to parts, repair information and specialized tooling needed to expand maintenance capacity. The association pointed to its agreement with CFM International, originally signed in 2018 and renewed in January 2026, as an example of a framework that supports customer choice, regulator-approved non-OEM parts and repairs, and equitable access for independent MRO providers. The report also urges airlines and lessors to incorporate long-term spare parts access provisions into future aircraft and engine acquisition agreements. Such arrangements would help provide predictable pricing and ensure that operators can transfer access rights to their preferred maintenance providers, including independent MRO organizations. In addition, IATA is calling on original equipment manufacturers across the engine, airframe and component sectors to adopt transparent and competitive aftermarket practices. These measures would support customer choice and facilitate the use of regulator-approved alternative parts and repair solutions. The association emphasized that solving the problem will require coordinated action from airlines, aircraft manufacturers, engine manufacturers, lessors and maintenance providers. According to IATA, improving parts availability, expanding repair options and aligning maintenance capacity more closely with airline operational requirements are essential to strengthening supply chain resilience. Walsh noted that addressing today's disruptions remains the industry's immediate priority but argued that long-term resilience will depend on creating a more transparent, competitive and collaborative aftermarket environment. He said the relationship between aircraft manufacturers and engine manufacturers must evolve to better support operational resilience throughout an aircraft's lifecycle, ultimately helping airlines return engines to service more quickly and reducing avoidable operational disruptions. The findings were released during IATA's inaugural World Maintenance and Engineering Symposium in Madrid, where the organization has been highlighting broader aviation supply chain challenges facing the global industry.

IATA Warns Engine MRO Crisis Could Worsen As Single-Aisle Fleets Expand

Aviation Today News Desk / June 27, 2026

Madrid, Spain: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that growing bottlenecks in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)

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