SWISS International Air Lines, commonly known as SWISS, is facing a difficult summer as it prepares to ground six of its Airbus A320neo aircraft. The reason for this grounding lies in ongoing issues with certain batches of Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines, vital for the performance of these next-generation planes. The summer holiday season is a crucial time for airlines, as they strive to operate at full capacity and maximize profits. Unfortunately, SWISS will not be able to achieve its full operational potential this summer due to these engine problems. The airline’s fleet primarily consists of Airbus aircraft, with a few exceptions like the Boeing 777-300ERs. The problematic engines affect the A320neo and A321neo models, leading to the grounding of four A320neos and two A321neos. The engines in question contain defective metallic components caused by contamination during the manufacturing process of the powered metal. This contamination results in premature cracking and reduced engine lifespans. In response, Pratt & Whitney has recalled 1,200 out of the 3,000 engines produced as of June 2023. Fortunately, SWISS’s A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft, which utilize PW1500G engines, are not affected by this specific engine problem. However, the PW1500G engines have their own set of issues, such as excessive corrosion on the high-pressure compressor front hubs. This corrosion leads to shorter lifespans and increased maintenance requirements. Despite various reliability issues with the PW1000G engines being addressed on the ground, there have been several in-flight failures. SWISS has experienced four incidents involving the PW1500G-powered A220s. Despite these challenges, SWISS remains committed to upholding safety and reliability across its fleet. The summer season might present obstacles, but proactive measures and ongoing maintenance efforts aim to minimize disruptions and ensure passenger safety.
