GECAS and Emirates sign purchase and leaseback for three 777-300ERs and 7 spare engines
10th August 2012
Latvia's airBaltic says it needs to temporarily lease extra aircraft for two months from March 27 due to "the manufacturer's inability to fulfil the obligations of engine maintenance in a timely manner".
"We are strongly committed to our contractual obligations to passengers and partners. However, the extended turnaround times for Pratt & Whitney servicing the engines are causing operational disruption for airBaltic," said Martin Gauss, president and chief executive.
The carrier said XFly, Danish Airport Transport, Carpatair and Cyprus Airways would operate some of its routes until late May.
"They, as a long-term partner of airBaltic could not keep the given promise again on the improved turnaround times. Therefore, airBaltic is contracting replacement capacity in form of ACMI wet-lease aircraft," Gauss added, discussing Pratt & Whitney.