BUDAPEST- Wizz Air (W6), the European budget carrier, may need to reduce its capacity by 10 per cent in the coming six months due to engine inspection required to address a “manufacturing issue.”
Based in Hungary, the airline has stated that examinations of Pratt & Whitney GTF engines will result in some of its aircraft grounding for the remainder of this year and into 2024.
Wizz Air Engine Inspection
This announcement comes following a statement from aerospace supplier RTX, the owner of Pratt & Whitney, which indicated that 600 to 700 engine units on Airbus A320neos would be removed for quality checks due to a “powder metal manufacturing issue” that could potentially lead to the cracking of certain engine components.
The airline also mentioned that it is currently evaluating the consequences of the situation to determine the extent of the impact on its fleet.
Initial estimates suggest that there may be a potential capacity reduction of 10 per cent for the second half of its current financial year, which spans from October 1 to March 31, 2024.
Financial Compensation
Wizz Air has been one of the fastest-growing carriers in Europe as the aviation industry has rebounded from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airline achieved a record traffic of 15.3 million passengers during the quarter between April and June this year, marking a 25 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022.
The carrier affirmed its commitment to working closely with Pratt & Whitney to minimize the impact on its fleet and overall business costs.
Additionally, Wizz Air intends to seek financial compensation from Pratt & Whitney. The company plans to provide a more comprehensive update on the situation in the near future.
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