SINGAPORE: Budget airline Scoot has cited a shortage of spare parts resulting from supply chain challenges as the reason for recent flight disruptions. This statement follows a report by The Straits Times on May 8, noting that 33 Scoot flights scheduled to depart from or arrive at Changi Airport were canceled over five days from May 2 to 6. On May 7, two Scoot flights were rescheduled without cancellations. On May 8, one flight was rescheduled, and no cancellations were reported. There were no disruptions on May 9.
In a statement to The Straits Times on May 9, Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), confirmed that several flights scheduled for May 2024 were canceled due to various operational reasons, including aircraft unavailability linked to a shortage of spare parts caused by supply chain issues. The airline noted that this shortage is impacting the aviation industry broadly but did not specify which spare parts or aircraft types were affected, citing commercial sensitivities. Scoot also refrained from commenting on other operational reasons for the cancellations.
The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused by the disruptions, stating that it proactively contacted all affected customers and rebooked most of them on alternative flights, including those operated by SIA and Scoot. Customers also have the option to request a full refund for the unused portion of their tickets. Mayur Patel, head of Asia at aviation data consultancy OAG, noted that many airlines are adjusting their flight schedules due to cancellations stemming from checks and repairs for a rare manufacturing issue with Pratt & Whitney jet engines.
In March, Scoot reported that three of its Airbus A320neos were grounded due to these manufacturing flaws, an increase from two previously grounded aircraft. Patel suggested that the shortage of spare parts might extend beyond engines to other aircraft components, such as auxiliary power units and cabin systems. He highlighted that the aviation industry continues to face production line disruptions post-COVID-19 due to increased demand for spare parts from parked aircraft requiring active maintenance and higher corrosion rates in humid climates like Singapore’s.
Patel also mentioned that the surge in aircraft orders as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels and the replacement of parts for faulty Boeing 737 Max jets could be contributing factors to the increased demand for spare parts. Greg Waldron, Asia managing editor of aviation publication FlightGlobal, observed that airlines have been facing supply chain challenges for some time. For instance, Kenya Airways faced spare-parts shortages in January 2023 due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which disrupted the aviation supply chain. The airline later announced potential flight disruptions for December 2023 as aircraft required maintenance.
In the first quarter of 2024, All Nippon Airways, Japan’s largest airline, reduced about 30 domestic and international flights per day to conduct engine checks on aircraft with Pratt & Whitney engines. Patel suggested solutions such as extending the leases of older aircraft, which Scoot has done with some of its A320ceos to mitigate the impact of grounding its A320neos, and leasing aircraft and crew from other operators to maintain flight schedules. Waldron emphasized the importance for airlines to identify specific parts or systems facing supply chain disruptions and to build resilience by increasing the supply of spares.
Some current and former Scoot cabin crew and pilots previously mentioned a possible manpower shortage, with standby cabin crew frequently called to duty. Aviation analysts noted that labor shortages, alongside engine and aircraft issues, have been significant factors contributing to flight cancellations in the industry.
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