newstodate.aero

Jan 25, 2023 (newstodate): the Latvian carrier airBaltic is happy with its single-type aircraft fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
   So far, 39 aircraft of this type have entered service with airBaltic, that received its first aircraft of 50 ordered in December 2016
   Latvia's airBaltic was first to put the new aircraft into commercial operation, but was also first to experience problems with two incidents in 2019 of leakage of Pratt & Whitney turbofan engine lubrication systems leading to an in-flight drop in oil pressure.
   Since then, other operators of the type have experienced similar problems and have been forced to temporarily ground parts of the fleets.
   According to industry sources, airBaltic now has six aircraft on the ground pending corrective measures that are, however, impacted by the global disruption of supply chains.
   -It is true, the industry is still facing serious supply chain issues, and that, undeniably, affects airBaltic as well, says airBaltic's communications unit on newstodate's question.  
   -Due to the lifetime of limited parts in the engines of our A220-300 aircraft, at various intervals the engines need to be removed from the aircraft, shipped to the factory to change the parts, and then shipped back to us.  
   -Normally, that would take approximately eight weeks. That process now takes eight months.