Volaris Hit by Ongoing GTF Inspections, 30 Jets Grounded Monthly

Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris has averaged 30.5 aircraft grounded per month over the past 27 months due to inspections of Pratt & Whitney PW1100G and PW1400G engines, according to a technical and financial analysis by aviation consultant Armando Sánchez Mata. The findings quantify the operational impact of a global engine inspection program that has affected narrowbody fleets worldwide and forced the airline to adopt temporary capacity measures, including wet leases, during peak demand periods.

Sánchez Mata’s study covers the period from September 2023 to November 2025 and is based on data from Airfleets, Flightradar24 and figures published by Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC). The analysis also includes aircraft operated by Volaris Costa Rica and Volaris El Salvador. A grounded aircraft was defined as one that “has not operated a commercial flight for at least 70 days.”

Using this methodology, Volaris experienced significant subfleet disruptions. In August 2024, as many as 27 Airbus A320neo aircraft were parked, representing 51.9% of that subfleet at the time. In July 2025, up to 17 A321neo aircraft were grounded, equivalent to 50% of that fleet type. The combined peak occurred in May 2025, when 40 aircraft were simultaneously out of service, accounting for 27.4% of Volaris’ total fleet of 146 aircraft at that point.

The airline has concentrated most of its parked aircraft at its main operational bases in Tijuana, Guadalajara and Mexico City. By the end of November, 14 A320neo and 14 A321neo aircraft were distributed across those locations. Volaris has also used El Salvador for maintenance activities; in November, two A320neo and one A321neo were undergoing work there.

A separate analysis by Sánchez Mata found that rival low-cost carrier Viva averaged 21.3 aircraft grounded per month between September 2023 and October 2025 due to the same Pratt & Whitney PW1100G and PW1400G engine recall.

To mitigate capacity constraints and meet winter-season demand, Volaris incorporated aircraft under wet lease arrangements in December. The measure was authorized by AFAC but drew criticism from organizations including the College of Mexican Airline Pilots. The airline has not publicly detailed the number of aircraft involved or the duration of the leases.

AFAC warned that if the 43-day temporary lease requested by Volaris had not been approved, “20 domestic routes and nearly 200,000 passengers during the December season would be affected,” generating “a negative impact on tourism-related economic activity and job creation during this period.” The agency added that the airline “agreed with its union that there would be no impact on the workforce or a reduction in flight hours.” 

The engine issues stem from airworthiness directives issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration beginning in August 2023. The directives mandate inspections and replacements of critical life-limited parts, including “disks, hubs and seals in high-pressure compressors and turbines,” after manufacturing defects were identified.

The impact has not been limited to Mexico. Sánchez Mata noted that international carriers such as Spirit Airlines in the United States and ITA Airways in Italy have also been affected by the Pratt & Whitney engine inspection program.