Engine durability stresses raised at GE Aerospace event in Brussels

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Engine durability stresses raised at GE Aerospace event in Brussels

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Grazia Vittadini Lufthansa Group's Chief Technology Officer | Lufthansa Group

By Sky Industry News

Apr 8, 2025

During a recent event hosted by GE Aerospace in Brussels, Belgium, Lufthansa Group's Chief Technology Officer, Grazia Vittadini, addressed the issue of engine durability. Speaking with Russell Stokes, CEO of Commercial Engines & Services at GE Aerospace, Vittadini emphasized the importance of engine reliability for future commercial aircraft. She indicated that Lufthansa would be inclined to purchase next-generation engines if they could offer "unlimited time-on-wing (TOW) instantly."

Her remarks come as significant engine manufacturers, including CFM International—a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines—are exploring innovative propulsion systems. CFM International is developing the CFM Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE), an open-fan engine demonstrator expected by the mid-2030s, which promises to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions significantly.

At the event, leaders from airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and policymakers convened to discuss the future of aircraft engine design within the European regulatory framework. The forum aimed to address industry challenges and highlight new innovations.

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Airbus also made headlines at its Summit 2025 with the unveiling of new design concepts for next-generation single-aisle aircraft. These airplanes, featuring advanced aerodynamic wings, are expected to consume 20% less fuel than current models. Airbus is exploring promising engine technologies, including the RISE concept, which could further improve fuel efficiency.

Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce is working on the UltraFan engine demonstrator, which boasts a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor, the Trent 700, and a 10% increase over the Trent XWB.

Despite advancements, issues with engine durability continue to persist among leading manufacturers like CFM International, Rolls-Royce, and Pratt & Whitney. Airlines have expressed concerns over TOW, with executives such as Emirates' Tim Clark criticizing the current offerings. The Lufthansa Group has already experienced fleet limitations due to these issues, with "around 30 aircraft" affected by Pratt & Whitney engine inspections.

This situation presents growth opportunities for Lufthansa Technik's maintenance services, as the new engines will require early integration into repair networks. Nonetheless, airlines have turned to older engines for sustained operations, maintaining strong demand for maintenance services of models like the CFM56 or IAE V2500.