Airbus Slashes A320neo Output Targets Amid P&W Engine Delays

Airbus has revised its ambitious aircraft production targets downward, citing persistent engine delivery shortfalls from supplier Pratt & Whitney. The planemaker now expects to produce between 70 and 75 A320-family jets per month by the end of 2027, a reduction from its previous goal of 75 per month. The ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines continue to disrupt the aerospace manufacturing sector, impacting airline fleet plans worldwide.

The decision reflects a prolonged crisis centered on the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines, which power a significant portion of the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft. A manufacturing defect involving contaminated powdered metal has led to widespread recalls and groundings, creating a significant bottleneck in the commercial aviation supply chain. This has forced Airbus to temper its production ramp-up despite holding a record year-end backlog of 8,754 aircraft in 2025.

The Root of the Problem: GTF Engine Defects

The core of the supply chain disruption stems from a manufacturing flaw in Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines produced by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation. According to disclosures from RTX, a contaminated powdered metal used in high-pressure turbine disks between late 2015 and 2021 can lead to micro-cracks, necessitating extensive inspections and component replacements. The issue has prompted both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue Airworthiness Directives mandating inspections.

Initially, Pratt & Whitney estimated that 1,200 PW1100G-JM engines were affected, but later assessments expanded that number to closer to 3,000. The operational impact has been severe, with the number of grounded Airbus A320neo aircraft peaking at around 625 in April 2024, according to a statement from MTU Aero Engines CEO. Analysis from ch-aviation showed that groundings reached a record high of almost 550 inactive aircraft in late 2025. Industry analysis suggests the time an aircraft remains grounded for these engine repairs can be 250 to 300 days due to limited maintenance shop capacity.

Production and Delivery Impact

The engine shortages have directly forced Airbus to adjust its forward-looking guidance. While the company delivered 793 commercial aircraft in 2025, it is now targeting approximately 870 deliveries in 2026, a figure constrained by the supply chain. Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury described the situation as "very painful and unsatisfactory" and "really disappointing." He confirmed that Airbus will "enforce our contractual rights" and that the company would have to "bite the bullet" for 2026.

Pratt & Whitney engines power roughly 40% of Airbus's A320neo narrowbody fleet, with the remainder supplied by CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. While competitor CFM has been pressured to increase production of its LEAP engines, it has stated it is not prepared to fill the entire gap beyond its existing commitments. This leaves Airbus with limited options to mitigate the shortfall from its key supplier.

Industry-Wide Ramifications

The GTF engine crisis is a primary driver of the broader aerospace supply chain crisis that has hampered the industry's post-pandemic recovery. Airlines are facing significant operational disruptions and financial burdens from having large portions of their narrowbody fleets grounded. The prolonged downtime has led some carriers to seek compensation from RTX Corporation for the associated costs.

Regulatory bodies have been actively involved. EASA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive in response to in-flight shutdowns and rejected take-offs involving the PW1100G-JM series, mandating operational restrictions and accelerated inspections. These directives, coupled with the recalls, have created a massive backlog at maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, further extending aircraft downtime.

For his part, RTX CEO Chris Calio acknowledged the challenge of balancing new engine production for Airbus with the urgent demand for spare parts and engines for the grounded airline fleet. He noted that overall P&W engine deliveries rose 50% last year, highlighting efforts to ramp up output amidst the quality control issues.

Why This Matters

This ongoing manufacturing crisis underscores the fragility of the global aerospace supply chain and the critical interdependence between airframers and engine manufacturers. For airlines, the delays translate directly into reduced capacity, schedule instability, and increased operational costs, ultimately impacting fleet renewal timelines and growth strategies. The situation highlights the long-lasting repercussions of manufacturing defects in an industry where safety and reliability are paramount.

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