Log-in here if you’re already a subscriber
If Pratt & Whitney is feeling the heat from Airbus and its CEO in the public dispute over supplying engines for newly-built A320neo family aircraft, there are few outward signs of concern. Pratt’s top commercial executive told The Air Current its primary focus remains on the hundreds of aircraft still grounded and awaiting engine inspections due to powder metal contamination during manufacturing — an issue that has taken years to address in the fleet.
Three months into 2026, the plane maker and Pratt have failed to reach a supply deal for this year as the engine maker juggles new PW1100G turbine deliveries to Airbus’s ramping final assembly lines against providing spares to airlines to keep their fleets flying as their engines await new parts for repairs.
Related: RTX CEO: Pratt reputation will hinge on handling of GTF woes
Pratt is stuck between displeasing one customer, Airbus, and displeasing no less than 72 different beleaguered PW1100G operators flying more than 2,000 A320neo family aircraft, according to ch-aviation. The Pratt engine powers 46% of the roughly 4,400 Neo deliveries by Airbus since the airframe-engine pairing was first introduced in 2016.
Subscribe to continue reading...Subscribe to Continue Reading
Our award-winning aerospace reporting combines the highest standards of journalism with the level of technical detail and rigor expected by a sophisticated industry audience.
- Exclusive reporting and analysis on the strategy and technology of flying
- Full access to our archive of industry intelligence
- We respect your time; everything we publish earns your attention
