UPDATE: ITA Airways is facing an urgent crisis, with 22 aircraft grounded due to a devastating recall of Pratt & Whitney engines. This issue, which has plagued the airline since late 2023, now affects nearly 28% of its total fleet, as confirmed by reports from Corriere Della Sera.
The recall stems from production defects in the Pratt & Whitney GTF turbofan engines, leading to potential failures that have forced ITA to park vital aircraft. The airline projects losses exceeding €150 million over the next five years, translating to approximately €82,000 per day in damages. This unprecedented situation comes as ITA struggles to maintain operations during peak travel periods.
The impact of the engine recall is not isolated to ITA Airways alone. The Pratt & Whitney GTF PW1000G engines are widely used across various aircraft globally, making this a critical issue for multiple airlines. ITA, with a total of 101 airliners, is among the hardest hit, with a significant portion of its 79 narrowbody planes now grounded. Out of its four A321neo jets, three remain inactive, further crippling the airline’s capacity.
CEO Joerg Eberhart highlighted the dire situation in a recent interview, stating, “We have A220 pilots flying 20 hours a month. You can’t grow like that.” With operational costs controlled primarily by external parties, the airline is feeling the financial strain acutely.
The root cause of the issue lies in contaminated powdered metal used in components manufactured for the engines from 2015 to 2021. This contamination can lead to premature cracking in critical turbine components, prompting strict inspections mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Inspections have shown inconsistent durations, with some taking as long as a year to complete.
To mitigate the fallout, Pratt & Whitney has ramped up repair services, and provided financial assistance to affected carriers. However, the estimated costs for the engine manufacturer and its partners are projected to exceed $6 billion, with Spirit Airlines also facing significant disruptions.
As ITA Airways grapples with this crisis, the airline anticipates that the operational challenges will persist into 2026. The timing of the grounding could not be worse, as the airline entered its busiest season with a severely reduced fleet. The impact on profitability has been profound, leading to an impending lawsuit against Pratt & Whitney and its parent company, RTX, as ITA seeks greater compensation for its losses.
The situation remains fluid, with ITA Airways set to fight for its financial stability amidst an ongoing operational nightmare. As details continue to develop, the airline’s future hinges on the resolution of these engine issues and their ability to restore a full operational capacity in the coming months.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.
