Volaris (Y4, México City International) has laid off 200 people due to operational adjustments forced on it by the ongoing inspections of its Pratt & Whitney engines. It promised to give preference to these personnel during rehiring once the probes have passed and capacity recovers.
As ch-aviation previously reported, the Indigo Partners-backed low-cost carrier last month lowered its financial guidance for the rest of 2023, due in part to the groundings, which are affecting its A320neo Family jets.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that it operates forty-five A320-200Ns, six A321-200Ns, and sixteen A321-200NX equipped with PW1000G engines. Currently, fifteen A320neo and two A321neo are parked for maintenance. The fleet also includes one A319-100, thirty-nine A320-200s, and ten A321-200s. Volaris has a further 142 A320neo Family aircraft on order from Airbus.
Volaris assured in its statement, dated October 31, that P&W’s “accelerated preventive reviews”, which have affected at least 42 airlines around the world, “have a purely preventive objective”. It said it had “launched an action plan to mitigate the effects derived from this situation” including extending 18 lease contracts that were due to expire in 2024 and 2025, incorporating 24 new Airbus jets in the next two years, and “a proactive search” for more aircraft and engines.
However, “a temporary adjustment in our operations is foreseeable. In order to face this adjustment, Volaris has had to assume, with all responsibility, [...] the reduction of approximately 200 jobs,” it said. Together with unions, a labour agreement was reached “in terms of benefits superior to those established in current regulations.”
The statement concluded: “Once the current situation of preventive engine inspection has been overcome and the capacity of our fleet has recovered, preference will be given to said personnel in the rehiring processes. As we have done in the face of other adversities, we at Volaris will continue to work tirelessly to overcome the current situation.”
