Aircraft
Fresh Engine Troubles Tarnish Airbus’s Positive 2017 Financials
Challenges mount while net order count reaches 1,109 commercial airplanes

Newly publicized troubles with the A320neo’s Pratt & Whitney PW1100G turbofans led a series of challenges for Airbus that tarnished positive financial results for last year. Speaking in Toulouse during the company’s annual press conference Thursday, Airbus CEO Tom Enders reported that the problems linked to a knife-edge seal in the PW11000G’s high-pressure compressor affected 98 engines, 43 of which fly on 113 A320neos. Meanwhile, a more difficult than expected ramp-up of the airplanes’ alternative CFM Leap-1As has caused further delays.