In a recent revelation, data findings by CAPA India indicate that between 161 and 166 aircraft are currently grounded in India for various maintenance reasons. The situation is expected to escalate further as leading carrier IndiGo may ground over 90 aircraft by March 2024. The cumulative grounding of aircraft by various airlines in India for maintenance purposes is projected to reach nearly 200 by the end of the fiscal year 2024.
CAPA India’s research also predicts that the total fleet on the register in India at the end of FY2024 will be close to 790 aircraft, indicating an increase of around 100 during the year. The Air India Group alone is expected to account for more than 60 aircraft.
Meanwhile, the aviation industry in the Philippines is facing its own set of challenges. Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is set to ground up to 20 of its aircraft due to issues with Pratt & Whitney’s engines, with 10 jets expected to be taken out of service by January 2024. Cebu Pacific is currently in discussions with Bulgaria Air for a wet-lease contract to mitigate the impact of these inevitable groundings.
The situation is not isolated, as several carriers worldwide are making similar announcements regarding inspections of affected jets. Notable airlines such as All Nippon Airways (ANA), Spirit, and Turkish Airlines are joining the fray, contributing to a sudden surge in demand for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities globally. This unexpected increase in demand is posing challenges for MRO facilities and creating concerns about spare part scarcity.
The root cause of these groundings is linked to issues with Pratt & Whitney’s engines. According to estimates from Pratt & Whitney, between 600 and 700 engines must undergo inspection and removal between 2023 and 2026. This mass inspection is anticipated to ground a significant portion of the world’s GTF-powered A320neo and A321neo fleet.
