Indigo Forced To Ground More Aircraft

The ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine crisis is affecting more and more carriers worldwide.

Indigo is now the latest carrier to announce an extension of potential groundings of jets following issues.

30 More Aircraft To Be Impacted

Indigo announced that it expects 30 more aircraft to be impacted in the fourth quarter alone.

As a result of the additional groundings, the total would now be close to 100 units.

Component cracking is the key catalyst behind this, stemming from a powder metal defect that was identified. Inspections will thus be required on the airline’s aircraft.

We have recently received additional information on the powder metal issue from Pratt & Whitney, and based on our preliminary assessment of this, we anticipate Aircraft on Ground (AOG) in the range of mid-thirties in the fourth quarter (Jan-Mar 2024) due to accelerated engine removals. These groundings will be incremental to the current AOGs.

Statement released by Indigo

Leasing Planes To Combat Groundings

Finding ways to mitigate the grounding effects is becoming increasingly difficult for each carrier.

Some airlines are in a position where leasing can be a means out. However, others struggle to source the required aircraft and, as a result, have to suspend routes and alter their overall schedules.

Indigo, however, has leaned heavily on the leasing market to lessen the blow of the groundings.

The major Indian airline plans to increase overall measures, such as leasing aircraft from the second-hand market. They also plan to extend the leases on current planes in their operation.

Pratt & Whitney’s engine crisis will continue for years as inspections roll out across its global fleet.

The Indigo Fleet

Indigo operates a fleet of currently 297 in-service planes, per the latest data from Cirium.

Interestingly, 114 A320neos remain in service, but Cirium says that 34 are in storage and thus parked.

Meanwhile, the A321neo series has 83 aircraft in service, with 11 currently parked.