OPED By: Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod (R) and Vineet Maliakal
The aviation industry, once a symbol of human ingenuity and technological prowess, is now grappling with a crisis that threatens to ground its wings.
At the heart of this turmoil lies the Pratt & Whitney (PW) Neo engines, which were once hailed as the future of aviation but have now become a source of significant operational challenges.
The repercussions of these issues are felt globally, but perhaps nowhere more acutely than in India, where airlines are struggling to keep their fleets airborne.
The Rise & Fall Of Pratt & Whitney Neo Engine
When Pratt & Whitney introduced the PW1000G series, also known as the “Geared Turbofan” (GTF) engine, it was touted as a game-changer. The engine promised a 15% reduction in fuel consumption, a 75% reduction in noise footprint, and a 50% reduction in emissions compared to previous models.
These claims were not just marketing hyperbole; they were backed by years of research and development, making the Neo engines the preferred choice for airlines around the world.
For Indian carriers like GoAir and Indigo, the Neo engines seemed like a godsend. With fuel costs constituting a significant portion of an airline’s operational expenses, the promise of improved fuel efficiency was too attractive to pass up. GoAir, in particular, went all-in on the Neo engines, building its fleet around the Airbus A320neo aircraft, powered exclusively by PW engines.
However, the honeymoon period was short-lived. Reports of engine vibrations, premature wear and tear, and frequent shutdowns started to emerge.
The most concerning issue was the high rate of unplanned engine removals (UERs), which led to prolonged downtimes and significant operational disruptions. For airlines that operate on tight schedules and thin margins, these issues were nothing short of catastrophic.
GoAir: A Cautionary Tale Expanded
GoAir, once a rising star in the Indian aviation landscape, epitomized the hopes and dreams of a rapidly growing middle class eager to embrace air travel. Established in 2005 by the Wadia Group, GoAir carved a niche for itself as a reliable low-cost carrier (LCC) offering affordable fares without compromising on quality.
The airline’s business model was simple yet effective: operate a lean fleet of modern aircraft, maintain high utilization rates, and pass on the savings to customers in the form of competitive ticket prices. By focusing on efficiency and operational excellence, GoAir rapidly expanded its footprint across India, connecting major metros with tier-two and tier-three cities.
However, as the Indian aviation market grew increasingly competitive, GoAir sought to differentiate itself by investing in the latest technology to reduce operating costs. The introduction of the Airbus A320neo, powered by Pratt & Whitney’s highly touted PW1100G-JM engines, seemed like the perfect fit for GoAir’s strategy.
The Neo engines, with their promise of greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions, appeared to be a boon for an airline operating in a price-sensitive market. By 2016, GoAir had committed to an order of 144 A320neo aircraft, signaling its intention to expand aggressively and solidify its position in the market.
How Neo Engines Turned A Promise Into A Peril
Initially, the decision to equip its fleet with PW Neo engines seemed to pay off. The engines delivered on their promise of reduced fuel consumption, which was particularly important in a market where fuel costs accounted for nearly 40% of an airline’s operating expenses.
GoAir was able to offer even more competitive fares, attracting a growing number of passengers and expanding its market share.
However, beneath this success story, the seeds of a crisis were already being sown. As GoAir ramped up its operations with the new A320neos, reports of engine-related issues began to surface. What initially seemed like isolated incidents soon escalated into a full-blown operational nightmare.
The PW1100G-JM engines, which were supposed to be the airline’s crown jewel, began to exhibit a range of problems, including engine vibrations, premature wear of components, and frequent mid-air shutdowns.
These technical issues were not just minor inconveniences—they had serious safety implications. GoAir found itself grappling with an increasing number of in-flight emergencies, forcing pilots to return to base or divert flights. The airline’s reputation, which had been carefully built over the years, began to take a hit as passengers grew wary of delays, cancellations, and the perceived safety risks.
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The High Cost Of Downtime
The most significant impact of the Neo engine problems, however, was on GoAir’s operational efficiency. The airline’s business model, like that of many low-cost carriers, relied on high aircraft utilization rates.
Planes needed to be in the air as much as possible to maximize revenue and minimize costs. But as engine problems became more frequent, GoAir was forced to ground a significant portion of its fleet for extended periods.
The downtimes were devastating. GoAir’s maintenance teams were stretched thin, working around the clock to troubleshoot and repair the engines, often with little support from Pratt & Whitney, which was itself struggling to keep up with the demand for spare parts and technical assistance. The global supply chain disruptions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic only added to the woes, as critical components were delayed, and maintenance schedules became erratic.
With planes grounded and flight schedules in disarray, GoAir’s financial health began to deteriorate rapidly. The airline was forced to cancel a growing number of flights, leading to a sharp decline in passenger revenues.
At the same time, the costs associated with maintaining and repairing the troubled engines skyrocketed. The combination of reduced income and rising expenses created a financial vise that the airline could not escape.
A Downward Spiral: The Final Days Of GoAir
As GoAir’s operational struggles became increasingly apparent, the airline’s management found itself in a race against time. Efforts to mitigate the impact of the Neo engine crisis included reducing flight frequencies, rerouting aircraft to less demanding routes, and even considering wet leasing aircraft from other carriers.
However, these measures were merely stopgaps, unable to address the root cause of the problem—the unreliability of the PW Neo engines.
In a desperate bid to stay afloat, GoAir sought financial relief from its creditors and government regulators. The airline’s pleas, however, fell on deaf ears. The Indian government, grappling with the broader challenges of the pandemic and a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, was unable or unwilling to intervene in a meaningful way.
Meanwhile, GoAir’s creditors, wary of the airline’s mounting debts and uncertain future, tightened the screws, further limiting its access to much-needed capital.
By early 2023, it was clear that GoAir was fighting a losing battle. The airline’s fleet utilization had plummeted, with more planes sitting idle on the tarmac than in the air. Passenger confidence had eroded, leading to a sharp drop in bookings and further compounding the airline’s financial woes. With no viable path to recovery, GoAir was left with no choice but to suspend operations in May 2023.
The closure of GoAir sent shockwaves through the Indian aviation industry.
Indigo’s Rose To The Occasion By Wet Leasing
Indigo, India’s largest airline by market share, has also been severely impacted by the Neo engine crisis. While the airline has a more diversified fleet compared to GoAir, a significant portion of its aircraft are powered by PW Neo engines.
As the engine problems persisted, Indigo was forced to take drastic measures to mitigate the impact on its operations.
One of the most notable responses was the decision to wet lease aircraft from other carriers. Wet leasing, where an airline rents an aircraft along with its crew, maintenance, and insurance, is typically used as a short-term solution to address capacity constraints.
However, for Indigo, wet leasing became a lifeline, allowing the airline to maintain its extensive domestic and international network despite the engine-induced downtime of its own fleet.
The situation became so dire that Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, stepped into wet lease aircraft to Indigo.
This unprecedented arrangement, which saw Qatar Airways planes operate under the Indigo banner, underscored the severity of the crisis. While the move helped Indigo keep its flights running, it also raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of such arrangements, which was purely due to the poor track record of Pratt & Whitney engines.
The Sad State Of Indian Airports
As the engine problems continue to plague airlines, a distressing sight has become increasingly common at India’s major airports: brand-new Airbus A320neo aircraft, grounded and gathering dust. These planes, which should be ferrying passengers across the country and beyond, are instead sitting idle due to the unavailability of serviceable engines.
The sight of these grounded planes poignantly reminds us of the human and economic costs of the Neo engine crisis. For passengers, this means more flight cancellations, delays, and disruptions.
For airlines, this means lost revenue, increased costs, and a growing sense of frustration. For the Indian aviation industry as a whole, it represents a setback at a time when it should be soaring to new heights.
A Possible Cause: The Ukraine-Russia War
Amidst the chaos, a question looms large: Why has Pratt & Whitney been unable to address the engine issues in a timely manner? While there are likely multiple factors at play, one potential cause has been suggested: the company’s involvement in supplying engines and components for the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The war has created a surge in demand for military aircraft and related equipment, with both sides seeking to bolster their air capabilities. For companies like Pratt & Whitney, which have deep ties to the defense industry, this has presented an opportunity to profit from the conflict.
However, this has also led to concerns that resources and attention that should be devoted to addressing the Neo engine issues are instead being diverted to more lucrative military contracts.
If this is indeed the case, it will represent a troubling prioritization of profit over safety and reliability. The aviation industry relies on the trust that passengers and airlines place in the manufacturers of critical components like engines. If that trust is eroded, the consequences could be far-reaching and potentially disastrous.
The Way Forward
The Neo engine crisis is a wake-up call for the aviation industry, particularly for Indian carriers. While the immediate focus must be on finding solutions to the technical issues plaguing the engines, broader lessons need to be learned.
First and foremost, airlines must diversify their suppliers to avoid over-reliance on a single manufacturer. The collapse of GoAir and Indigo’s smart moves demonstrate the risks of putting all your eggs in one basket. By spreading their risk across multiple suppliers, airlines like Indigo could better withstand the impact of unforeseen issues like the P&W Neo engine crisis.
Secondly, there needs to be greater transparency and accountability in the relationship between airlines, engine manufacturers & state. DGCA must demand more rigorous testing and certification processes before committing to new engine models in Indian skies.
Manufacturers, in turn, must be more forthcoming about potential issues and proactive in addressing them. The Indian government and aviation regulators need to play a more active role in safeguarding the industry’s interests. This could involve providing financial support to airlines affected by the engine issues, as well as imposing stricter oversight on manufacturers to ensure that they prioritize the needs of their civilian customers.
Conclusion
The Pratt & Whitney Neo engine crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities of the aviation industry, both globally and in India. For too long, airlines have placed their faith in the promises of manufacturers, only to be let down when those promises fail to materialize.
The closure of GoAir, Indigo’s struggles, and the sight of grounded planes at India’s airports are stark reminders of the human and economic costs of this crisis.
As the industry grapples with these challenges, it is clear that a new approach is needed—one that prioritizes indigenization, safety, reliability, and accountability over short-term profits. Only then can the aviation industry regain passengers’ trust and chart a course towards a more sustainable future.
- Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (retd) is COO, AutoMicroUAS. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author (s). They do not necessarily reflect the EurAsian Times’ views.
- Co-Authored By Vineet Maliakal
- MJ Augustine Vinod tweets at @mjavinod
