IndiGo’s well documented troubles with Pratt & Whitney engines on its Airbus fleet may not all be the engine maker’s fault after all.
According to sources at regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation, IndiGo pilots’ practice of revving A320neo jets at full thrust just after takeoff could be wearing down the engines.
The airline has experienced 13 engine mid-air shutdowns so far this year and has been ordered to replace 196 affected engines.
It has so far replaced about half.
The problem hasn’t affected rival GoAir which also uses the same engines, as it uses a lower thrust climb, a DGCA official familiar with the matter said.
Airbus said the planes can handle full thrust, but it is ‘established best practice’ to lower the thrust to reduce stress on the engine.
IndiGo said it is ‘strictly between the airline and the concerned authorities’ although it has reportedly taken steps to ensure pilots use a less aggressive climbing procedure.
