KLM Cityhopper has become the latest airline to be affected by Pratt & Whitney's ongoing supply chain issues, with a number of the carrier's Embraer E195-E2 aircraft currently out of service as a result. The engine manufacturer has been unable to complete the required updates to the components and software of its PW1900G engines, resulting in the regional subsidiary of KLM having to alter its flight schedule and leasing plans for the summer.

KLM's CEO, Marjan Rintel, is believed to have traveled to Brazil recently to engage in talks with Embraer to seek a solution. When the issue first arose earlier this year, the CEO of the Brazilian manufacturer, Francisco Gomes Neto, said,

"Pratt & Whitney are working closely to support affected customers like KLM Cityhopper with short-term solutions while working on a long-term fix of the issues."

In a statement, KLM acknowledged the issue, saying,

“KLM Cityhopper is consulting with Embraer and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to seek a solution for these issues, which have no impact on flight safety."

The Embraer E195-E2 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW1900G GTF (Geared Turbofan) engines, which are considered to be among the most efficient engines currently available. The engine is part of the PW1000G family, which can also be found on other aircraft, including the Airbus A220 and Airbus A320neo.

KLM Cityhopper and the Embraer E195-E2

KLM Cityhopper began operating the Embraer E195-E2 in February 2021, with data from ch-aviation.com showing that five of the airline's 15 E195-E2s are currently inactive. Each aircraft seats a total of 132 passengers in a two-class configuration - 20 in business class and 112 in economy class. The airline deploys its E195-E2s on routes across Europe from its hub at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), including to Dublin (DUB), Bergen (BGO), and Zurich (ZRH).

In the meantime, the airline has delayed the return to lessors of a number of Embraer E190s and boosted its wet lease program in order to maintain capacity. However, the airline confirmed that it will still be forced to make some minor changes to its flight schedule as a result of the problems, adding.

“These adjustments will affect flights scheduled to depart several months from now, allowing customers to be rebooked onto alternative flights well in advance, if necessary."

Ongoing supply chain issues

KLM Cityhopper is not the only airline to experience issues with the supply of Pratt & Whitney engines in recent months, with the problems affecting carriers from around the world. Earlier this year, airBaltic doubled its summer wet lease program in order to maintain its full flight schedule despite several inactive Airbus A220s. Indian low-cost carrier Go First also cited the supply chain issues as one of the reasons for its ongoing bankruptcy saga.

Just last week, Iraqi Airways was also forced to ground its entire fleet of four Airbus A220s as the country's Civil Aviation Authority ordered all A220 operations to be paused while it carried out an investigation into the engine issues.

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What do you think of the problems KLM is experiencing with the engines on its Embraer E195-E2 aircraft? Do you know of any other airlines that may also be affected? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

Sources: Aerotime Hub, ch-aviation.com, FlightRadar24.com

• 

  KLM

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  KL/KLM

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

  Year Founded:

  1919

  Alliance:

  SkyTeam

  Airline Group:

  Air France-KLM

  CEO:

  Marjan Rintel

  Country:

  Netherlands