Finance

Wizz Air CEO sees Pratt & Whitney engine woes lasting 4-5 years

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 24, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 27, 2026

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Wizz Air CEO discusses Pratt & Whitney engine issues impacting flights - Global Banking & Finance Review
Image of Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varad addressing Pratt & Whitney engine problems at Airline Economics conference, highlighting potential 4-5 year impact on flight operations.
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Wizz Air CEO Predicts Prolonged Pratt & Whitney Engine Issues

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Issues with Pratt & Whitney RTX engines that have grounded some Wizz Air planes could last four or five years, the low cost carrier's chief executive said on Monday.

"I think they are trying their best, but this is going to be a long process. At the beginning, we felt maybe 18 months, maybe two years. This is clear it's more like a four- to five-year issue," Jozsef Varad told the Airline Economics conference in Dublin.

Wizz Air said last month that it expects 40 of its planes to stay grounded through fiscal year 2026. The head of fellow Eastern European carrier AirBaltic said the Pratt & Whitney issues were hampering its growth prospects.

(Reporting by Joanna Plucinska, writing by Padraic Halpin; editing by Jason Neely)

Key Takeaways

  • Wizz Air CEO forecasts engine issues lasting 4-5 years.
  • Pratt & Whitney engines have grounded some Wizz Air planes.
  • Initially expected to last 18 months to 2 years.
  • 40 Wizz Air planes may remain grounded until 2026.
  • AirBaltic's growth also impacted by engine problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The main topic is the prolonged issues with Pratt & Whitney engines affecting Wizz Air and other airlines.
How long are the engine issues expected to last?
The Wizz Air CEO predicts the issues will last 4-5 years.
Which airlines are affected by these issues?
Wizz Air and AirBaltic are among the airlines affected by Pratt & Whitney engine problems.

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