Airbus Seeks More Pratt & Whitney Engines for 2027 Amid Supply Constraints

Airbus is pressing engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for a greater number of jet engines for 2027 as it navigates ongoing supply chain disruptions that have impacted aircraft deliveries. The comments came from Airbus Commercial CEO Lars Wagner during a news briefing in Farnborough, England, on Tuesday.

Addressing Supplier Shortfalls

Wagner stated that the company is in discussions to secure more engines from the RTX unit, highlighting the strain on planemakers and airlines alike. He also noted that Airbus hopes to receive additional engines from its alternate supplier, CFM International, which he said was already meeting its contractually agreed delivery quantities.

The push for more engines comes as the aviation industry grapples with a "tug of war" over limited supplies, affecting production schedules and airline fleet expansion plans. These supply issues have been a significant bottleneck for both Airbus and its U.S. rival, Boeing.

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Outlook for Resolution

Looking ahead, Wagner expressed optimism that the protracted problems with engine supplies would be resolved by 2028. His forecast provides a potential timeline for the normalization of one of the aerospace sector's most critical supply chains.

His comments followed a statement from Pratt & Whitney earlier on Tuesday, which indicated that maintenance disruptions responsible for grounding hundreds of aircraft were beginning to ease. The availability of engines and their related aftermarket services is crucial for Airbus to meet its ambitious production targets for its popular A320-family of narrow-body jets.