Vietnam Airlines to ground 12 planes for maintenance
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Vietnam Airlines has to ground 12 A321 aircraft, representing 20% of its domestic fleet, for up to 300 days due to engine issues, as supply chain disruptions have doubled the maintenance time, its CEO said.
Le Hong Ha said engine issues are plaguing over 3,500 A321/A320neo aircraft worldwide with Pratt & Whitney engines.
Vietnam Airlines uses 24 of the engines, he said Thursday on the sidelines of the 2024 International Airline Symposium in Hanoi.
The engine problems have also impacted Vietnam Airlines’ Airbus A350 aircraft, he added.
The problem is caused by a rare condition in the powder metal used to manufacture certain engine parts, a concern flagged by Pratt & Whitney in July 2023 as affecting engines produced between October 2015 and September 2021.
This has caused numerous airlines globally to ground or inspect their aircraft.
Budget carrier Vietjet may also have fleet trouble due to the engine issues.
A shortage of aircraft has been partly blamed for the recent jump in domestic airfares, which is turning passengers away.
Before and after the Lunar New Year holidays airlines carried 13% fewer passengers than last year.
But Ha pointed out that Vietnam is among the few countries still capping airfares, adding the ceilings should be scrapped in future.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific aircraft type is being grounded by Vietnam Airlines and what proportion of its domestic fleet does this represent?
Which specific aircraft type is being grounded by Vietnam Airlines and what proportion of its domestic fleet does this represent?
Vietnam Airlines is grounding 12 A321 aircraft. This number represents 20% of the airline's total domestic fleet, as confirmed by its CEO, Le Hong Ha.
Q.What is the reason for the prolonged maintenance time for the affected aircraft engines?
What is the reason for the prolonged maintenance time for the affected aircraft engines?
Maintenance time has doubled due to ongoing supply chain disruptions. This means the 12 A321 aircraft will be grounded for an extended period, up to 300 days.
Q.Which other aircraft in Vietnam Airlines' fleet are affected by the engine problems?
Which other aircraft in Vietnam Airlines' fleet are affected by the engine problems?
Beyond the A321s, the engine problems are also impacting Vietnam Airlines' Airbus A350 aircraft. This indicates a broader issue within the airline's operations.
Q.What specific manufacturing defect is causing the widespread engine issues identified by Pratt & Whitney?
What specific manufacturing defect is causing the widespread engine issues identified by Pratt & Whitney?
The problem stems from a rare condition in the powder metal used to manufacture certain engine parts. This issue affects engines produced between October 2015 and September 2021.
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