Hawaiian Airlines says it expects to return all 18 of its Airbus A321neo aircraft to revenue service in the coming weeks. Like many operators worldwide, the Honolulu-based airline has been forced to ground several A321neos due to ongoing issues with Pratt and Whitney’s GTF engines.
“On another positive note, we expect our full A321neo fleet to be available for service within the next couple of weeks based on current engine availability, including the return of some engines from overhaul visits,” Hawaiian chief Peter Ingram said during prepared remarks on the call.
According to FlightGlobal, the airline had up to five A321neo aircraft grounded that were waiting for engines or subsequent parts. At the time of writing, Hawaiian now has two A321neo jets in storage.
Issues with Pratt and Whitney GTF engines have plagued several airlines. The engine manufacturer’s parent company recently stated that it expects 50 A320neo-family aircraft will be grounded through 2026, and up to 650 grounded in the first half of this year.
Issues Not Quite ‘In the Rearview Mirror’
The airline uses its A321neo fleet largely on oceanic crossings between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. During the earnings call, Ingram stopped short of saying issues with the engines are completely behind Hawaiian.
“I would hesitate to use the term ‘in the rearview mirror’ because, clearly, there still is a global shortage of engines,” he added. “And so, having taken some of that pain in 2023, we’re now seeing engines returning from the overhaul shop, and that has left us at Hawaiian in a relatively more enviable position than some other carriers that…have dealt with the aftermath of engines that have had to go in for inspections a little bit later. I will caution it’s a fluid situation.”
The airline – which lost $138 million in the first quarter – says it hopes to “benefit” by having the A321neo fleet fully operational.
