S7 Airlines (S7, Novosibirsk) and HK Express (UO, Hong Kong International) have confirmed they are expecting significant delays in the delivery of their respective Pratt & Whitney-powered A320neo.
According to Vedomosti, the Russian carrier's co-owner Natalya Fileva said on the sidelines of the said on the sidelines of the Sochi Investment Forum last week that S7 "most likely" expects delays on the arrival of four A320neo due from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) this year. S7 operates four A320neo out of an order which tallies at least sixteen such aircraft.
Last week, Airbus notified the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) that it had detected defects in 30% of the 113 Pratt & Whitney PW1100 GTF engines installed on A320neo in service around the globe. EASA subsequently issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) either grounding or curtailing the operations of affected A320/321neo aircraft until replacement engines were fitted or a solution found and applied. Airbus subsequently suspended delivery of P&W-powered A320neo Family aircraft. Those powered by the CFM International LEAP 1A are not affected.
An internal HK Express company communique, seen by the South China Morning Post, has shed further light on the anticipated delivery delays. According to the report, Airbus faces a six-month delay on its A320neo aircraft production line as a result of the renewed issues. The budget carrier told staff that given the uncertainty, it was “seriously considering” not taking delivery of any new NEO aircraft until next year “at the earliest”.
"Obtaining replacement engines for all the affected aircraft currently operating is the priority and could take months," the memo said. "While all the new P&W NEO's on the Airbus production line could be delayed for six months or more.”
HKExpress has already grounded one of its four A320neo as a result of the EAD.
P&W has yet to disclose an official delay date to either the public or investors.
