Engine Woes Ground 40% of Korean Air’s A220 Fleet

Korean Air is grappling with operational challenges as nearly half of its Airbus A220 fleet remains grounded amid a global engine supply crisis.

The South Korean carrier operates a modest fleet of 10 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, most of which were delivered between 2017 and 2019. However, four of these jets are currently parked, accounting for a significant 40% of the A220 fleet being out of service due to engine-related issues.

While the A220 plays a vital role in the airline’s domestic operations, Korean Air has now confirmed that it will reduce domestic flights during the high-demand summer season to accommodate the reduced capacity. This reshuffling is part of a broader attempt to navigate the growing industry-wide challenge posed by a lack of spare engines and prolonged maintenance delays.

Despite not being the largest operator of the A220 globally, the disruptions underscore how deeply the ongoing engine crisis is affecting airlines of all sizes. The maintenance backlog, scarcity of parts, and overwhelmed supply chains are pushing carriers like Korean Air to make tough scheduling decisions and temporarily withdraw aircraft from service.

There is currently no definitive timeline for the grounded A220s to return to operation, adding uncertainty to the airline’s near-future network planning. This indefinite grounding reflects the challenges faced by many operators across the globe.

The A220 is not alone in facing engine-related setbacks. Airlines worldwide have seen delays in new aircraft deliveries and extended downtimes for existing jets, with engine complications impacting models ranging from the A320neo to the Boeing 787.

As Korean Air continues to engage with engine suppliers and Airbus, the focus remains on mitigating service disruptions and finding solutions to bring the parked aircraft back to the skies.

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