RE: Wizz Air Needs Fleet Of 500 Aircraft To Stay ‘Relevant,’ CEO Says2 Dec 2025 20:46
The GTF Challenge
Speaking about the Pratt & Whitney GTF PW1100G engine challenges and how long this issue will remain, Váradi said he doesn’t know how long it will continue. “There is a new technology is coming over [GTF Advantage engine],” he said.
“I think this is trying to fix all the childhood diseases, and we are very hopeful. The early indications we are getting is it [the GTF Advantage engine] is going to do the job,” he said. However, engine challenges are widespread, not only from Pratt, Váradi added. “I know CFM operators grounding aircraft to due unintended engine removals. I don’t think it is down to one player. It is the whole industry; it is the whole supply chain.”
“Wizz Air is the largest neo operator in Europe and is exclusively powered by Pratt & Whitney,” a Pratt spokesperson told Aviation Week. “We continue to work closely with our customers to support their fleets. We are already implementing durability upgrades to the PW1100G-JM engine, and next year the GTF Advantage engine will enter service and offer up to two times longer time on wing,” the spokesperson said. At the same time, Pratt expects to deliver about 30% higher MRO output this year, which is key to continuing to improve AOG (aircraft on ground) levels.
“Now we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I believe in the next two years it can be fully lifted, fully recovered,” Váradi said. “I think at that time, when all of our aircraft are flying, that is when you’ll see the full potential of Wizz Air.”
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