Engine problems: major capacity reduction at Wizz Air, Budapest flights rescheduled

Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air may be forced to cut capacity by up to 10% over the next two quarters due to a new problem with the engines on its A320neo family aircraft.

Engine problems at Wizz Air

According to AIRportal.hu, Pratt & Whitney’s parent company has issued new information on the problems caused by the use of substandard raw materials in the production of a GTF engine component.

Wizz Air estimates that this could result in a 10% capacity reduction for the airline over the next two quarters, between 1 October and 31 March. The affected engines will have to be removed from the aircraft and sent to the manufacturer’s designated service centre for a long time period.

The airline adds that it is continuing to analyse the impact of the problem on operations. Wizz is working with the engine manufacturer to ensure that as few aircraft as possible have to be grounded for as short a period as possible. In addition, Wizz Air is developing proactive measures to mitigate the impact on its finances and flight operations. The low-cost airline will seek compensation from Pratt & Whitney.

Problem is much bigger than previously thought

As Daily News Hungary reported before, microscopic contaminants have been found in the metal powder used in the turbine blades of the high-pressure stages of engines produced by Pratt & Whitney between 2015 and 2021.