IndiGo lease costs to fall as P&W vows engines by June

Engine maker Pratt & Whitney has assured IndiGo that it intends to replace faulty engines of 40-odd grounded planes of the country's largest airline by end-June 2026, said two persons with knowledge of the development.

- Abhishek Law

This move will potentially boost IndiGo's profitability this year and next, depending on the pace of engines replacement, reducing the carrier's reliance on costly leased planes to offset the nearly-10% unused aircraft on its fleet.

The airline flies two of three passengers in India.

Forty planes with Pratt & Whitney engines are grounded while 60 are flying.

"There is an assurance for a staggered improvement in the aircraft on ground situation with a June timeline," the first person said on the condition of anonymity, as the discussions between the world's second-largest commercial aircraft engine maker and IndiGo are private.

The second person, who also wanted to remain unidentified, said some timelines are still under discussion, and that revision possibilities cannot be ruled out if global supply constraints persist.

Emails sent to Pratt & Whitney and IndiGo seeking comment went unanswered.

A resolution could help IndiGo's profitability, according to at least one analyst.