Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam Dinh Viet Thang has just signed and issued a Directive to comply with and implement the "Urgent Technical Notice (Alert ServiceBulletine)" for the PW1100 engine on the A321NEO fleet operated by Vietnamese airlines.

Accordingly, based on the assessment results of the Airbus A321NEO Aircraft Operation Safety Team using the PW1100G engine, Director Dinh Viet Thang requested Vietnam Airlines Corporation - JSC and Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company to absolutely comply with and immediately implement all contents of Alert Service Bulletin PW1000G-C-72-00-0224-00A-930A-D, PW1000G-C-72-00-0225-00A-930A-D and the manufacturer's next updated versions for the PW1100 engine on the Airbus A321NEO aircraft.

Director Dinh Viet Thang requested Vietnam Airlines Corporation and Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company to report the results and implementation plan to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam before February 15.

aircraft engine.jpeg
There will be 44 A321Neo aircraft equipped with PW 1100 G engines that will have to have their engines inspected and evaluated. (Illustration photo)

Previously, on November 3, 2023, the engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney issued an urgent technical notice, which will be effective from January 1, 2024, to promptly detect unusual failures from the production process of the PW1100 engine on the Airbus A321NEO aircraft (Alert Service Bulletin) No. PW1000G-C-72-00-0224-00A-930A-D and PW1000G-C-72-00-0225-00A-930A-D.

According to the manufacturer's instructions, the parts that need to be checked and replaced on the PW 1100 G engine are the high pressure compressor disc and the high pressure turbine disc.

To perform the inspection, the engine is removed from the aircraft. The engine is then disassembled for ultrasonic testing for defects, faulty parts (if any) are replaced, and reassembled before being installed on the aircraft. The process is expected to take 250 - 300 days for each engine.

Speaking to VietNamNet on the afternoon of January 31, an official from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said that Vietnam currently has 44 A321 Neo aircraft equipped with PW1100G engines, including those of Vietnam Airlines (VNA 20 aircraft) and Vietjet (VJC 24 aircraft).

“There will be 44 A321Neo aircraft equipped with engines subject to the directive. Accordingly, the directive of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam requires airlines to fully evaluate the requirements of the engine manufacturer.

According to the current requirements of the PW engine factory, some aircraft will have to have their engines removed for inspection earlier than planned," this officer informed.

Commenting on the fact that the large number of aircraft that will be subject to inspection and assessment will increase ticket prices in 2024, a representative of an airline said that currently, aircraft prices are subject to a ceiling price. Therefore, if there is an increase, it will not be allowed to exceed the ceiling price that has been set.

“Normally, only during peak travel times do airlines increase fares. This does not happen during off-peak times,” the source said.

It is known that the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has also directed airlines operating aircraft with engines affected by the recall order and the Vietnam Airports Corporation to arrange parking for long-term grounded aircraft as well as implement grounded maintenance programs...