Delta Air Lines is still figuring out how much of a setback it will face due to the recently revealed quality issues with Pratt & Whitney engines. The airline is waiting for a comprehensive review from Pratt & Whitney, set to come out at the end of the month. Delta’s finance chief, Dan Janki, shared these updates at a Morgan Stanley conference.
Engine Problems and Their Impact
Earlier this week, RTX announced that they would need to remove 600 to 700 Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines from Airbus A320neo planes. These engines need quality checks that will span the next three years. The reason behind this is a defect in the powder metal used in the engines, which can cause cracks in some components. Initially, RTX thought each engine would need about 60 days for repairs. Now, they’re saying it could take up to 300 days.
Janki mentioned that the impact on Delta is still unclear. “I think it will be minimal at this point, but we got to assess it,” he said. He also noted that the airline needs to consider “the secondary impacts as it relates to new deliveries, other knock-on effects in a supply chain that continues to be fragile in nature.”
Delta’s Fleet and Stock Performance
Delta had planned to end 2023 with just under 50 Airbus A321neos. These planes were received “later in the cycle,” according to Janki. The news about the engine issues led to a nearly 1% drop in Delta’s stock during market hours, which is notable considering the stock had risen over 2% before the market opened.
Delta Air Lines is in the process of assessing the impact of quality issues with Pratt & Whitney engines. While the airline waits for a detailed review from Pratt & Whitney, it’s also considering the broader effects on its supply chain and fleet.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
