IndiGo is pondering on solutions to increase its capacity as it awaits the delivery of the wide-body Airbus jets which it will get no sooner than 2027. Chief Executive Pieter Elbers said they are not ruling out more interim solutions.
On the question of grounded planes due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, Elbers said it is a sad reality, but did not give a specific timeline for the grounding to end. This comes as the airline continues to cope up with the shortage it is suffering since the powder metal issue cropped up in the Pratt & Whitney engines back in 2023.
What is the trouble with these engines?
In July 2023, Pratt & Whitney revealed a rare powder metal defect that could lead to engine component cracking in the twin-engine Airbus A320neo. Then, the airline began taking proactive measures to mitigate the potential disruptions. It immediately grounded the aircrafts.
The trouble with the engines did not only affect IndiGo but many airlines globally, essentially all those who had the A320neo. IndiGo chose grounding of planes while GoAir, another buyer of A320neo, went on for the litigation in the US courts.
IndiGo gets compensation
InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of IndiGo, announced last year that it will be getting compensation from Pratt & Whitney over the losses he airline has incurred due to the powder metal issues that have grounded some of its aircraft.
“This is in continuation to our disclosure dated 7 November, 2023 (Ref-IGAL/SECT/11-23/11) filed under Regulation 30 of SEBI LODR Regulations in relation to preliminary impact assessment of Pratt & Whitney powder metal issue, resulting in removal of higher number of engines from service and grounded for inspection and replacement,” the company said in an exchange filing.
However, the situation even then was no better as more than 70 aircraft of IndiGo were grounded, mostly due to the powder metal defect.
