Juneyao Airlines' fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft remains largely grounded due to ongoing engine repairs, significantly impacting operational capacity. The issue stems from quality defects in Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines identified two years ago.
An internal source at Juneyao Airlines revealed that engine repairs are expected to conclude by 2026. The company currently has no plans to introduce new aircraft and is prioritizing accelerating repair timelines to restore domestic capacity.
Multiple challenges have contributed to Juneyao's disappointing financial performance. The airline reported Q1-Q3 2025 revenue of RMB 17.48 billion (down 0.06% YoY), net profit attributable to shareholders of RMB 1.089 billion (down 14.28% YoY), and adjusted net profit of RMB 976 million (down 17.90% YoY).
Cash flow pressures are emerging, with long-term debt surging 46.58% year-over-year, signaling potential liquidity constraints.
**Engine Woes Drag Performance** The earnings decline primarily stems from reduced domestic capacity and increased maintenance costs related to the PW1100G engine issues. The problem originated in July 2023 when RTX (Pratt & Whitney's parent) disclosed rare powder metallurgy defects requiring accelerated inspections of 600-700 engines through 2026.
Juneyao's fleet comprises 93 Airbus A320 series aircraft (including 22 A320neos affected by repairs) and 10 Boeing 787s. With up to 22 aircraft (20% of fleet) potentially impacted, capacity constraints are significant.
Initial repair estimates of 60 days per engine ballooned to 300 days. Juneyao's internal assessment suggests 3-6 months per unit. As of October 2025, 20 A320neos remained grounded, forcing the airline to deploy widebody 787s on domestic routes—an inefficient solution given the limited 787 fleet.
Industry analysts caution that engine-related capacity limitations may persist, with Juneyao's 2026 completion target appearing optimistic. The situation highlights broader supply chain challenges affecting fleet planning and profitability.
**Debt Surge Amid Strategic Shift** Facing intense high-speed rail competition in its Shanghai-Guangzhou hubs, Juneyao has pivoted to international expansion. Q3 2025 saw 16% YoY growth in international/regional capacity, with 123 new international routes added in H1 2025. International passenger traffic jumped 28.5%, while cargo volumes rose 23.4%.
The airline plans further European route development, leveraging its Shanghai base. However, this strategic shift hasn't offset financial pressures, as evidenced by long-term debt swelling to RMB 5.85 billion (up 46.58% from 2024).
While Juneyao maintains confidence in core market pricing power, its focus remains on completing engine repairs before considering domestic capacity restoration—a process that continues to test operational resilience.
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