Airline CEOs Criticize Engine Makers Over Reliability Failures and Rising Maintenance Costs
Major airline executives at the International Air Transport Association's annual gathering in Rio de Janeiro publicly criticized engine manufacturers for falling short on reliability promises, saying unscheduled maintenance is eroding the fuel savings new engines were supposed to deliver. The complaints come as airlines face a $100 billion higher fuel bill this year and ongoing aircraft shortages that make grounded planes especially costly. The dispute highlights a growing tension between airlines and engine makers at a time when travel demand remains strong but profitability is under pressure.
At IATA's annual assembly in Rio de Janeiro, airline CEOs from carriers including Canada's WestJet voiced frustration that next-generation aircraft engines, while technologically impressive, are requiring unscheduled maintenance far more frequently than older engine generations. The newer engines burn hotter to achieve fuel efficiency gains of 15% or more, but that design characteristic also accelerates wear and reduces reliability. IATA's outgoing director general Willie Walsh accused engine manufacturers of 'gouging' airlines and called on them to 'stop' and 'get back to making great engines that work and that last.' Engine overhaul and maintenance has grown into a more than $58 billion industry, with engine values rising sharply — a Pratt & Whitney PW1127 for Airbus narrow-body planes is up more than 57% since 2019. GE Aerospace responded by saying it has made significant investments to improve engine performance and increase output, while acknowledging more work remains. The situation is compounding financial stress for airlines already dealing with aircraft production backlogs from both Boeing and Airbus, meaning grounded planes represent direct lost revenue during a period of strong travel demand.
What's missing
The articles do not detail the specific contractual obligations or service-level agreements between engine makers and airlines, which would clarify whether manufacturers are technically in breach of commitments or whether airlines accepted known reliability trade-offs when purchasing the engines.
How coverage differed
Coverage from CNBC presented the story primarily through the lens of airline executives and IATA leadership, giving significant weight to their criticisms of engine makers. Engine manufacturers' responses were included but brief, meaning the framing leaned toward the airlines' perspective without equal scrutiny of whether airline operational practices contribute to maintenance issues.
What different sources said
- CNBCCenter
Airlines find the grass isn't always greener with new engines
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