JetBlue CEO condemns Airbus jet engine problems

JetBlue Airways (JBLU) is frustrated with the condition of his Airbus (EASY) jets. CEO Joanna Geraghty said Thursday that it’s less than ideal to have engine problems on the sidelines of virtually brand-new aircraft.

“They’re great planes, we want to fly them,” she said at the Skift Global Forum conference for the travel industry.

Last July, RTX (RTX) subsidiary of Pratt & Whitney discovered a problem with the metal used to build its PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engines. Specifically, the problem was with high-pressure metal powder of the turbine and compressor discs. Because the defect can cause cracks, all those engines had to be inspected or taken out of service to ensure they were not affected. Airbus uses the PW1100G-JM for its A320neo aircraft, and JetBlue uses those aircraft.

Power unit issues have plagued many carriers throughout the industry. In it the latest annual reportJetBlue said it can take up to a year for an affected plane to make its way through a repair shop for inspection and remediation. Spirit Airlines (SAVE), JetBlue former corporate fiancewill receive up to 200 million dollars in compensation for the resulting hits to his ability.

“While we are working with Pratt & Whitney to secure compensation, the full impact of the removal and any potential remedial steps remains uncertain,” JetBlue said in its latest annual report.