Swiss mulls fate of A220-100s amid ongoing engine issues
Swiss (LX, Zurich) is reevaluating its A220-100s as persistent problems with Pratt & Whitney engines continue to disrupt operations, but it has not made a decision on when it could phase out the type.
"While we regularly evaluate different opportunities, we have not made a decision on when to phase out the A220-100," Clarissa Cunz, Swiss' head of aircraft asset management, told Aviation Week on the sidelines of an Airbus event in Toulouse.
The Lufthansa Group subsidiary was the launch customer for the 125-seat A220-100. It operates nine A220-100s and 21 of the larger 145-seater A220-300s, both powered by PW1000 geared turbofan engines. According to ch-aviation data, at least eight - two A220-100s and six A220-300s - are currently in maintenance.
"The Airbus A220 remains an integral part of our fleet and will continue to be so in the coming years," Cunz said. "Naturally, as part of our strategic planning, we regularly review our fleet development - a standard practice in the industry.
"Personally, I find both A220 variants to be good aircraft," she added. "We had several reasons for choosing them, including our decision to acquire the A220-100," for example the -100's ability to operate into London City, which requires steep-approach certification not held by the -300 variant.
Cunz confirmed that Swiss had explored acquiring six ex-EgyptAir A220-300s but ultimately found the deal unviable.
Swiss (LX, Zurich) is reevaluating its A220-100s as persistent problems with Pratt & Whitney engines continue to disrupt operations, but it has not made a decision on...
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