Airlines

FAA Issues 30-Day Inspection Mandate for Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, some users of Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engine will be required to undertake inspections within 30 days in order to prevent a part failure that could harm the aircraft.

A “rare condition” in powdered metal required 1,200 of the more than 3,000 engines constructed for the twin-engined Airbus A320neo between 2015 and 2021 to be removed and checked for microcracks, according to a July announcement by Pratt & Whitney parent RTX Corp.

United Airlines Selects Pratt & Whitney’s GTF For Future Airbus A321neo &A321XLR (Opens in a new browser tab)

According to the report, the FAA said it will mandate an ultrasonic check of the first- and second-stage high-pressure turbine discs within 30 days in an airworthiness regulation that was published on Friday. According to the organization, if the discs exhibit signs of damage, they must be changed before the next trip. The instruction goes into effect right away. Twenty engines on U.S.-registered aircraft and 202 engines globally are impacted by the FAA’s decision.

As a result of contaminated powder metal used in the manufacturing process, Pratt expects that 1,200 engines will need to be taken out of aircraft and evaluated during the next nine to twelve months.

The FAA will require a secondary barrier on the flight deck of new commercial airplanes(Opens in a new browser tab)

The FAA claimed that its action came as a result of an additional investigation into the engine failure that forced an Airbus A320neo’s pilots to cancel a takeoff in December. Neither the agency nor Pratt would name the airline.

Source:

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

Top 10 Best Airlines in the World by AirHelp Survey

These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.