Schedule Changes Announced At Hawaiian As Engine Recall Begins

In communication we had earlier today with Hawaiian Airlines, the company said that indeed schedule changes, as we suggested previously, will be required. Those are in order for the company to comply with the Pratt & Whitney engine recall that impacts the airline’s 5-year-old narrow body Airbus A321neo fleet. But just how extensive will these changes be?

Update from Hawaiian Airlines.

“After learning from Pratt & Whitney this week that some Airbus A321neo engines will require additional inspections, we have started to proactively adjust our schedule to minimize travel disruptions. From Aug. 5-31 we will suspend our daily Kahului-Las Vegas flight and reaccommodate our guests on our Honolulu-Las Vegas flights, or provide alternative solutions that best meet their travel needs. We sincerely apologize to our guests for the inconvenience as we continue to work with Pratt & Whitney to mitigate the impact of its engine checks in coming months.”

Alex Da Silva, Director, External Communications, Hawaiian Airlines.

This schedule change could be the tip of the iceberg.

Hawaiian said that they do not yet know the number of aircraft that will need to go offline for the up to two months estimated for the recall work to be completed. That duration, which was estimated by Pratt & Whitney earlier this week, is to remove, inspect, repair and reinstall the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G jet engines in question.

Hawaiian also does not yet know the number of aircraft in it’s 18-plane fleet which will require this urgent service. Nor did they say where the work will be performed.

While Hawaiian has its heavy maintenance performed in the Philippines by a division of Singapore Airlines, we don’t know whether the engine shop work might be done there or at Pratt & Whitney.

Impact on flights and airfare costs.

We are trying to understand the implications of the reduction of flights on certain routes. That includes availability to accommodate passengers as well as the potential for an increase in flight costs on these routes. In this first announcement. For example. The route from Las Vegas to Honolulu may become challenging with the Maui flight inoperative.

Further updates from Beat of Hawaii will follow.

This is a fast-changing situation. As we wait to learn more, please feel free to share with us any questions or thoughts you may have on this situation.