Vietnam's Aviation Sector Grounds 17 A321 Aircraft Due to Engine Shortages

Seventeen Airbus A321 aircraft in Vietnam remain grounded due to a persistent shortage of Pratt & Whitney engines, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV). This information was shared by CAAV leadership at a mid-year review conference on July 17. Currently, domestic airlines operate a fleet of 280 aircraft, including 252 fixed-wing planes and 28 helicopters, an increase of 18 aircraft compared to last year. The prolonged scarcity of Pratt & Whitney engines has led to 17 Airbus A321NEO aircraft being taken out of service. However, the number of grounded aircraft has decreased by six compared to the same period in 2025. The issue with Pratt & Whitney engines, used on the A321, a workhorse narrow-body aircraft for airlines globally and in Vietnam, began to surface in 2024. Worldwide, approximately 3,500 Pratt & Whitney engines require recall for inspection and maintenance. Consequently, engine repair times have extended significantly, from the usual 90 days to between 250 and 300 days. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that by the end of the first quarter of this year, the situation had improved considerably. Nevertheless, airlines continue to face extended repair schedules and a shortage of spare engines. IATA also warns that MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) congestion remains a major challenge for the global aviation industry. In recent months, Vietnamese airlines have actively expanded their fleets to meet growing passenger demand and help cool ticket prices. Sun PhuQuoc Airways, for instance, has received its 13th aircraft and is expected to take delivery of 15 more Airbus A320/A321 aircraft by the end of the year, bringing its fleet to 26 within less than a year of operation. According to CAAV data for the first half of the year, airlines transported 18.7 million passengers, a 0.3% increase year-on-year. Airlines maintained 54 domestic routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 20 airports nationwide. International passenger numbers served by domestic carriers reached 9.6 million, up 0.2%. This figure accounts for nearly 37% of the total international passenger traffic to and from Vietnam. Currently, Vietnamese airlines operate 109 international routes to 22 countries and territories. Meanwhile, airlines from 41 countries and territories operate 235 scheduled routes to Vietnam.