Engine snags in A320 neo planes are a safety concern

Technical snags faced by A320 neo aircraft operated by IndiGo and GoAir pose a “safety issue”, civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said.

At least eight A320 neo (new engine option) planes of IndiGo and two of GoAir have been grounded due to issues related to Pratt & Whitney engines that power these aircraft.

“Obviously, any failure is a safety issue. What is attractive is fuel efficiency of these engines but fuel efficiency is one thing and risking life is another,” Raju said.

IndiGo, which has A320 neo planes in its fleet of 136 aircraft, was forced to cancel many flights due to engine woes.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed IndiGo and GoAir, in February, to conduct inspections of the P&W engines once they complete 1,000 hours of flying, instead of 1,500 hours as recommended by the engine

While the fuel efficiency of Pratt & Whitney engines are outstanding, its excessive component wear and tear is worrying operators

maker. The technical problems in the A320 neos are due to some components of P&W engines wearing out faster than expected and hence questions about its reliability.

In August, IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh indicated that the airline could examine procuring aircraft with engines from a different manufacturer such as GE for 280 A320 neos it has ordered out of the total 430 planes.

Apart from IndiGo and Go Air, Air India and Vistara have A320 neo aircraft but with engines from a different manufacturer. A320 neo aircraft are designed to accomodate engines of other manufactures too.