IndiGo, GoAir to replace 180 unmodified PW engines by May: DGCA

IndiGo and GoAir have 106 and 43 such A320 neo aircraft - fitted with PW engines - in their fleet, respectively. Post the induction of the aircraft into service, there have been a number of incidents of snag in their PW engines.

As there were more LPT (low pressure turbine) failure incidents in the aircraft in IndiGo’s fleet, the airline was directed by the DGCA on November 1 last year to replace all unmodified engines in its fleet with modified ones by January 31.

Later, the regulator extended the deadline toMay 30. GoAir was also told by the regulator to replace all unmodified engines by May 30.

The regulator stated on Tuesday that PW is in the process of setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India in collaborationwith Air India for replacement of 3rd stage LPT (low pressure turbine) at their Mumbai facility.

“This will significantly reduce the time taken for the upgrade. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of February,” said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

“It involves procurement/replacement of approximately 180 engines, out of which about 90 engines are expected to be replacedby February-end andthe rest by the end of May,” it added.