Ryanair (FR, Dublin International) has discovered and replaced unauthorised engine parts in two aircraft during routine inspections, CEO Michael O'Leary told Bloomberg late last week. He said the parts, believed to be supplied by UK business AOG Technics, were uncovered several months ago during checks at workshops in Brazil and the United States.
"Given the level of paperwork that already exists, I’m not quite sure how anybody was able to come up with dodgy parts,” he said. Since engineers first uncovered the issue during routine inspections earlier this year, the problems surrounding authorised engine parts supplied by AOG have ensnared multiple airlines worldwide. The issue impacts certain CFM56 engines manufactured by CFM International and fitted to many Boeing B737NG and Airbus A320ceo family types. Ryanair operates over 500 NG aircraft. In August, the European Aviation Safety Agency said AOG Technics had sold parts accompanied by falsified Authorized Release Certificates (ARCs). Aside from the two jets, O'Leary said the Irish LCC had remained "largely unaffected" by the AOG problem, having never dealt with the supplier.
O'Leary says the engines remain in the workshops, with the relevant parts sent to the group investigating AOG Technics. He also called for tighter controls over third-party suppliers. Among others, Southwest Airlines, TAP Portugal, and Virgin Australia have all temporarily pulled aircraft from service to address the issue.
