Air Transat which flies Dublin to Toronto 6w has secured the lease of three additional A330s to support its network needs and offset grounded A321-200NX(LR) aircraft due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, expected to have six grounded by the end of 2024 and up to eight in 2025.
The Canadian airline will have a total fleet of 19 aircraft, including four new A321neo(LR)s and four A321-200NY(XLR)s once certified, in order to address the impact of the groundings and improve fleet optimisation.
The A330s are expected to be delivered before the Summer 2024 season, with the airline implementing strategies such as extended leases, short-term leases, and fleet optimisation to mitigate the impact of the groundings.
Due to the engine-related groundings and costly leases, Air Transat reduced its fiscal 2024 planned capacity increase from 19pc to 13pc, with expenses increasing by CAD4.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to the Pratt & Whitney engine issues.
