Airlines Ground Aircraft After Jet Engine Recall

Airlines are making adjustments to avoid flight cancellations after being forced to ground some aircraft in the wake of a massive jet engine recall.

Pratt & Whitney has recalled roughly 1,200 Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines that were found to be tainted with microscopic contaminants in a metal piece of its core, posing a danger that could cause cracks in certain parts of the engine.

The GTF engine is used by dozens of airlines all over the world, including JetBlue, Spirit Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. The engine of two that can be fitted to the Airbus A320neo, which is the world's top-selling aircraft.

The impacted carriers are now shifting flight crews, changing schedules and adjusting capacity in an effort to avoid cancellations amid the grounding of affected aircraft.

Spirit recently confirmed to investors that the recall will leave the ultra-low-cost carrier with fewer aircraft to fly as well as an over-staffing problem impacting operations in the fourth quarter and early next year, the Financial Times reported.

Meanwhile, JetBlue COO Joanna Geraghty said the airline would look to lease engines to mitigate the impact.

Hawaiian Airlines said it may have to adjust its capacity in the near future.

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