Spirit Air says Pratt engine issue to ground jets, hamper growth

Spirit Airlines Inc. said manufacturing problems with engines made by Pratt & Whitney will ground an average of 26 of its Airbus SE A320neo aircraft next year, slowing the carrier’s growth to the mid-single digits or less. 

All of the geared turbofan engines in its fleet, including those slotted for future aircraft deliveries for an undetermined period, are potentially among those subject to inspection and possible replacement because of the issue, Spirit said in a statement Thursday as it reported quarterly results. Based on an analysis from Pratt, an average of 10 planes will be grounded this quarter, and climb through next year to 41 in December, the carrier said. 

“This expectation drives a dramatic decrease in the company’s near-term growth projections,” Spirit said. There are 202 planes in Spirit’s fleet, and the carrier already has had to cut some flying because of the required inspections. 

Pratt & Whitney parent RTX Corp. announced earlier that 3,000 jet engines need inspections for potentially flawed components made with contaminated metal powder. The issue will idle hundreds of A320neo aircraft over the next three years, with the total time needed for repairs taking between 250 and 300 days.

Spirit has started talks with Pratt over compensation for the engine availability issue, but the amount, structure and timing haven’t been determined.