Airline carriers could face downtime during the busy summer travel season in the wake of RTX’s (NYSE:RTX) disclosure of a manufacturing defect in some jet engines.
Pratt & Whitney estimated a significant portion of the PW1100G-JM engine fleet, which powers Airbus’ (OTCPK:EADSF) A320neo, will require accelerated removals and inspections within the next 9-12 months.
RTX (RTX) CEO Greg Hayes said the engine recall is “going to be expensive”, with full-year free cash flow guidance cut to $4.3B from ~$4.8B.
U.S. carriers that have the biggest fleets with the defective engines include Delta Air Lines (DAL) and Spirit Airlines (SAVE), according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst George Ferguson.
Overseas, India’s budget airlines IndiGo will likely be the most affected, while Mexico’s Volaris (VLRS) and Germany’s Lufthansa (OTCQX:DLAKF) could also take a hit.
Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) expects the engine defect will not impact ongoing deliveries. “Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) will work to support customers as they work with Pratt & Whitney to resolve the situation and minimize the disruption on their own fleets,” a spokesperson said.
The largest deliveries from Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) over the next year are expected to go to Spirit (SAVE), Delta (DAL), United Airlines (UAL), JetBlue (JBLU) and Frontier Group (ULCC).
“I imagine the U.S. could see small delays in aircraft deliveries and slightly less airline capacity,” Ferguson said.
Alaska Air (ALK), Southwest Airlines (LUV), United (UAL) and American Airlines (AAL) may not be affected as they fly other plane models.
Note that airline stocks were already dragged by Alaska Air’s (ALK) weak forecast on lower fare prices.
The engine defect disclosure sent RTX spiraling 10%. “Despite the recent setback, RTX’s attractive valuation and positive outlook make it a stock worth considering for the future,” said Investing Group Leader Leo Nelissen.
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- Source: https://seekingalpha.com/news/3991076-summer-travel-plans-airlines-downtime-rtx-engine-defect?utm_source=feed_news_all&utm_medium=referral