Airbus plans further A220 upgrades as PW1500 engine troubles ease

Airbus is preparing more upgrades for the A220, after what its programme chief calls the worst of the aircraft's engine troubles. Guillaume Chevasson told a briefing in Toulouse that aircraft-on-ground events linked to the type's Pratt & Whitney PW1500 engine are down 80% since early 2025. Nearly the whole fleet is flying again, he said. The number still parked over the engine situation is in the very low single digits, caused by a shortage of spare engines.

Airbus wants the A220 fleet fully back in service by the end of the year and is working with Pratt & Whitney on support arrangements for operators. Chevasson said the crisis is behind the programme.

Since taking over the programme, the airframer has invested in raising payload-range capability and maximum zero-fuel and maximum landing weights, cutting fuel burn, and adding a cabin interior with larger overhead bins. Planned for the next year or so are a 25,000lbf thrust rating and better climb derate capability, according to Chevasson.

Airbus is also targeting a C-check interval of 10,000h, up from roughly 8,500h now. The aircraft will be cleared for 3% runway slopes, a change made mainly for Air Niugini, which took its first A220 in September last year. Runway overrun protection is on track for installation.