Cebu Pacific, known for operating one of the most efficient and youngest fleets in the Philippines, is now grappling with a new challenge. This crisis has to do with an engine manufacturer, as opposed to the previous one which was virus-related. Cebu Pacific faces the daunting task of grounding up to 20 of its aircraft due to complications with Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G engines. They expect to ground ten aircraft by January 2024 due to this issue, which primarily affects their A320neos and A321neos.
A Growing Concern in Aviation
According to an earlier report from FlightGlobal, Cebu Pacific intends to pull six more of its PW1100G-powered aircraft from service in January in addition to the four already out of service for inspection and potential maintenance. While the exact number of future groundings is not confirmed, realistic estimates suggest it could total around 20 aircraft.
This isn’t the first instance of the airline facing such a situation. Earlier this year, Cebu Pacific had to ground several aircraft from its A320neo family for engine maintenance. The broader issue stems from manufacturing problems with these engines, specifically involving powdered metal defects. This defect is expected to lead to the grounding of hundreds of PW1100G-powered jets in the next few years, affecting airlines worldwide.
However, Cebu Pacific is not alone in this predicament. Other airlines, including IndiGo, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Spirit, and Turkish Airlines, have announced similar plans to ground and inspect affected jets. With such a significant number of aircraft requiring attention, this creates substantial challenges for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities globally. Furthermore, the scarcity of spare parts adds to the complexity of this issue.
Pratt & Whitney, anticipates that between 600 and 700 engines will need to be removed for inspection from 2023 to 2026. This could potentially ground a significant portion of the world’s A320neo and A321neo fleet powered by GTF engines. The financial implications are substantial, with parent company RTX already accounting for over $3 billion in costs. In total, more than 1,200 engines might require service.
Cebu Pacific’s Adjusted Growth Projections
The grounding of these aircraft has forced Cebu Pacific to revise its seat growth projection for 2024. The airline’s CEO, Mike Szucs, revealed after releasing the third-quarter results that they had expected double-digit growth. However, due to these engine issues, the projection is now adjusted to between 5% and 8%. Szucs remarked that up to 20 of the airline’s planes might be sidelined for inspection and maintenance.
Despite these challenges, Cebu Pacific is not slowing down. The airline has put “operational resilience” plans in place to mitigate the impact of the PW1100G issue. These plans include leasing new and used planes and engines to sustain the airline’s growth ambitions.
Cebu Pacific’s fleet expansion is also ongoing. According to Airbus data, the airline’s current order book includes seven A320neo, 22 A321neo, and 11 A330-900s. Additionally, the airline is considering a significant order worth $12 billion for up to 150 planes.
In 2023, Cebu Pacific has already welcomed 13 new aircraft from the A320neo family and expects another six by the end of December. The fleet growth will continue into 2024, with 13 more aircraft expected, partially offsetting the early-year groundings. Cebu Pacific’s fleet currently includes 17 A320neo and 12 A321neo aircraft, alongside 20 A320-200 and seven A321-200s, and a widebody fleet of six A330s.
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