Azorra, an aircraft leasing company, indicated that recent maintenance and metal‑contamination problems affecting Pratt & Whitney geared‑fan (GTF) engines are largely resolved. President Ron Baur told Reuters the company now sees "a light at the end of the tunnel" for the engines that power Embraer's E2 family, Airbus's A220 and A320neo models.
Baur made the comments on the occasion of Embraer's 2,000th E‑Jet delivery in São José dos Campos. He noted that smaller jets such as the E2 and A220 typically carry up to about 150 passengers and are more fuel‑efficient than older, larger aircraft. The E2 family sold roughly three times as many units as the A220 last year, underscoring the strength of the regional‑jet market.
Pratt & Whitney, a unit of RTX, reported in July that maintenance‑related disruptions for its smaller‑model engines have largely disappeared. Industry sources, however, say the manufacturer still disagrees with Airbus over the engine's impact on larger A320neo jets.
Azorra also highlighted continued demand for new aircraft despite broader market uncertainty. Baur said fleet‑decision delays persist but overall demand remains “very strong.” He added that a stretched version of the A220, tentatively called the A220‑500, could be highly competitive.
Higher fuel prices, driven by recent United States and Israeli attacks on Iran that disrupted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, have added cost pressure. Azorra considers the situation manageable, noting airlines are passing some of the fuel cost increase onto passengers.
The leasing firm expects the favorable engine outlook and strong regional‑jet demand to support its portfolio growth in the coming quarters.
