In another periodic A320neo update, we have some new data. We used FlightAware as our data source.
Starting off with the big picture. The program has been dogged with engine issues. The chart shows where the problem has been focused – Pratt & Whitney. Pratt & Whitney has repeatedly said they have worked through their supply chain issues and engine fixes. It would seem that the tough summer for Airbus and Pratt are moving towards a much better fall and winter. Meanwhile, the data shows the CFM engine allowed the fleet to continue to build flight hours.
Next, let’s look at the fleet size in 2017. In January the fleet was close to even by engine types. By November Airbus had delivered a lot of aircraft, 126 to be exact. As we would expect, the LEAP-powered fleet grew faster than the GTF-powered fleet. The summer engine blues at Pratt & Whitney were surely miserable. However, post-summer, the GTF-powered fleet grow by ten each month from September. The LEAP-powered fleet started to grow by double digits in November.
As a support for this contention, we can look at the third biggest GTF-powered fleet at Lufthansa. The combination of a cleaner environment (and the backup from the superb Lufthansa Technik) ensured a very smooth operation.  Lufthansa is getting more hours per airframe than most airlines. So the combination of the GTF and A320neo can work as promised.
In conclusion we think the A320neo program may have seen the worst of the engine issues, especially with the GTF. It appears that, looking at the most recent data, the A320neo fleet is working hard and delivering on its promise.