The long-standing crisis between European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and engine maker Pratt & Whitney has entered a new phase. Airbus is reportedly preparing to file a compensation lawsuit due to delays in engine deliveries.
Crisis moves into legal phase
It is stated that Airbus is preparing to initiate legal proceedings against Pratt & Whitney, a U.S.-based subsidiary of RTX, due to serious delays in the delivery of Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines.
The company emphasizes that issues with delivery reliability threaten not only short-term plans but also the long-term strategy of its narrow-body aircraft program.
It is reported that hundreds of aircraft worldwide are grounded due to a lack of engines, while unfinished aircraft are accumulating on production lines.
GTF engine crisis creates global impact
At the center of the crisis are the PW1100G engines used in the A320neo family. Microscopic impurities in the metal powder used in Pratt & Whitney’s production process have caused the engines to require early maintenance and prolonged inspections.
Production targets lowered
The supply issue has also directly impacted Airbus’ financial targets. The company announced its 2026 delivery target as 870 aircraft, a figure that fell below market expectations.
Meanwhile, Airbus has a backlog of approximately 8,800 aircraft orders, most of which consist of the A320 family. It is noted that the problem is not demand-driven, but entirely supply-related.
The company’s target to increase monthly production to 75 aircraft has been postponed to 2027.
Production exists at factories, but no engines
In recent years, Airbus has made significant investments to increase production capacity in Mobile, USA, and Tianjin, China. However, this expansion has not achieved the desired efficiency due to disruptions in engine supply.
The accumulation of aircraft awaiting completion on assembly lines highlights the fragility in the supply chain.
Conflict of interest between airlines and manufacturer
Another dimension of the crisis is the competition between airlines and the manufacturer.
Airlines forced to ground their aircraft due to engine failures are demanding priority access to the limited number of spare engines. In contrast, Airbus needs the same resources for new aircraft deliveries.
This situation creates a three-way tension between the manufacturer, the engine supplier, and the airlines.
A critical turning point for the industry
According to experts, a potential lawsuit between Airbus and Pratt & Whitney could set a precedent in terms of risk sharing in global aviation supply chains.
The disruption caused by a single supplier affecting the plans of one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers has reignited debates over the “just-in-time production” model.
In the coming period, whether legal pressure will force the parties to reach an agreement and when the engine crisis will be resolved will directly determine the sector’s growth rate.
