Summary

  • Airbus slowed down aircraft production due to CFM LEAP engine supply issues, which stemmed from a downturn in usable parts for the high-pressure turbine blades at contractor – Howmet Aerospace.
  • The alternate engine available for the A320neo – Pratt & Whitney PW1100G is also facing issues, resulting in engine recalls and aircraft grounding.
  • Not just the A320s but the A350 deliveries were also delayed, indicating wider supply chain issues in the aviation industry.

Last month, European manufacturer Airbus had to reduce its aircraft delivery and production rates, citing supply chain issues. When examined more closely, it has now become clear that this is related to the CFM LEAP engines. More specifically, one of the suppliers for this extremely popular engine type, Howmet Aerospace, has drastically slowed down the production of parts required for the engine.

Source of production downturn

In the world of complex supply chains, everything is intricately connected. As reported by Reuters, Airbus reduced its aircraft delivery and production forecast due to supply chain issues, citing one of the issues as the downturn in engine deliveries, specifically the CFM LEAP engine.

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Airbus’ previous guidance of 800 aircraft deliveries in 2024 was reiterated twice, during its 2023 and Q1 2024 financial results presentations.

This engine type is used on all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and a significant number of Airbus A320 family aircraft, which, due to the popular nature of the aircraft with airlines around the world, makes this engine type equally popular. In fact, the Safran – GE Aerospace joint venture, CFM International, is the largest jet engine producer in terms of the number of engines produced.

Airbus A320neo flying

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

While CFM did have to slow down, Safran’s CEO stated that it was because of a drop in the usable parts available for the engine’s high-pressure turbine blades, which are a critical component of the engine’s core. The supplier for parts relating to high-pressure turbine blades was stated as the US-based contractor: Howmet Aerospace.

The report does suggest that the supplier is in the process of ramping up the production rate of parts and things are improving.

Not the only engine type

While a downturn in usable parts at Howmet Aerospace affects the production rate of the CFM LEAP engines, which in turn resulted in Airbus slowing down its A320 production, the manufacturer has an alternate engine option for its popular narrowbody aircraft, the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines.

While the PW1100G GTF (Geared Turbofan) is utilized on the A320neo and the A321neo, this engine type has also had issues, which has resulted in airlines around the world having to ground several of its A320 family aircraft while the engines have had to be inspected.

Lufthansa A320neo taxiing

Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock

These engines are being recalled and inspected to identify any potential microscopic cracks that could form on the powerplant’s high-pressure turbine disks due to powdered metal used in manufacturing. Though it is not an immediate threat, this issue has resulted in several A320s worldwide being out of action.

While some carriers are working around it by leasing additional aircraft or extending the operational lifespan of the aircraft within the existing fleet, operators such as Turkish Airlines and Air Astana have already received compensation for any losses incurred.

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Pratt & Whitney & Air Astana Settle Over PW1100G Engines

The Kazakh flag carrier has been experiencing issues with the power plants on their A320neo family fleet.

More than the A320s

Airbus, last month, stated it is reducing its delivery forecast for 2024 from 800 aircraft to 770 aircraft. While the A320 delivery has been severely impacted due to various supply chain issues, so has the carrier’s popular widebody aircraft, the Airbus A350.

While it is unclear if the production or delivery of this aircraft type has been reduced, there have been some delivery delays, as seen in the case of Emirates, which was supposed to receive its first aircraft this month.

Related

Aircraft Delays Cause Emirates To Postpone Airbus A350 Service

The Dubai-based airline had planned to launch the Airbus A350 service in September 2024.

Emirates Airbus A350-900

Photo: Emirates

While the type was supposed to enter commercial service with Emirates in September, it has now been pushed back to November due to delivery delays at Airbus due to supply chain issues.

However, the issues with the global supply chain are affecting not just Airbus but the aviation industry as a whole. Though the industry has also faced some geopolitical challenges in recent years, which further slowed down the recovery, the aviation industry, as seen in recent years, is incredibly adaptable and will recover given time.

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