Airport

Pratt engine in A-320 Neo develops snag; IndiGo plane grounded:

In yet another instance of the snag-ridden Pratt & Whitney (PW) engines on Airbus A-320 new engine option (Neo) aircraft developing fault, one of these planes was grounded at Delhi Airport on Friday. The aircraft VT-ITK, belonging to IndiGo, reportedly had “oil debris overlimit” detected on one of its PW engines when it was being prepared for a flight out of Delhi. On examination, it was found that the engine needs to be replaced.

IndiGo did not offer any comment when contacted. This is at least the sixth engine snag this year in the 21 PW-powered Neos that IndiGo (16 Neos) and GoAir (5 Neos) currently have in their fleet. Air India also uses A-320 neo but its aircraft have engines from another manufacturer, CFM.
The latest snag comes just days after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had ordered examination of PW engines on A-320 Neos that have operated for over 1,000 hours.
Repeated engine inspections have also been prescribed after every 500 hours of usage. The DGCA stresses that the problem is only with the PE engine on A-320 Neo and the other A-320s -most commonly used aircraft in India – have no such issues.
Times of India

Airport

Western Sydney Airport Welcomes Its First Plane After 6 Years of construction

In a historic milestone for Australia’s aviation sector, the first plane has officially taken off and landed at Western Sydney Airport after six years of construction, much to the delight of a small but enthusiastic group of dedicated planespotters.

A test pilot made the inaugural landing using a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, successfully completing a series of take-off and landing runs on the newly built tarmac. This crucial test paves the way for larger passenger aircraft, which are expected to start using the runway in two years.

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The Piper PA-30 was employed to assess the airport’s approximately 3,000 Aeronautical Ground Lights (AGLs) by executing operations in various conditions, including daylight, dusk, and evening. This testing ensures that the lighting system is fit for purpose and ready to welcome aircraft when the airport opens to commercial flights in late 2026.

The pilot also highlighted that the rapid exit taxiways have been designed at a 45-degree angle, allowing for quicker transitions on and off the runway. Once operational, the airport will feature a single runway capable of handling up to 10 million passengers annually right from day one.

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As the construction phase nears completion, the airport’s main terminal, apron, and supporting infrastructure will be ready to accommodate around 81,000 flights each year. This milestone marks a significant moment for Western Sydney Airport, the first new airport to open in Australia since Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport more than two decades ago.

Major airlines, including Qantas and Jetstar, have already committed to operating from the 24/7 facility, signaling strong support for this new hub. By 2033, the airport aims to handle up to 10 million passengers and facilitate extensive air traffic movements annually.