Wizz Air has disclosed that due to ongoing checks on Pratt and Whitney engines, it expects to have a capacity reduction by 10% in 2H 2024.
In a statement, the airline said:
“Wizz Air is currently assessing the implications to understand the extent of the impact on its fleet, with initial estimates indicating a potential capacity reduction of 10% for the second half of the 2024 financial year.”
This comes after RTX, parent company of Pratt & Whitney, released a statement that its Pratt & Whitney Pw1100G (also known as ‘GTF’) engines will be subject to inspection.
According to RTX, approximately 600 to 700 engines will need to be removed for shop visits between 2023 and 2026, with the majority of engine removals required occurring in 2023 and early 2024.
This removal will result in around 350 A320 family aircraft being grounded through to 2026, something which Wizz Air is assessing the implications of for its own fleet. The carrier’s fleet consists of Airbus A320 family aircraft, including A320neo and A321neos powered by this Pratt & Whitney engine option.
In separate statement, MTU Aero Engines – which owns 18% of the GTF programme – also anticipated a reduction in its own revenues. This impact is expected to occur between 2024 to 2026.
For 2023 it said it was not able to make a “precise assessment” of the impact of this latest news on its forecast, but would aim to limit negative effects as much as possible.
