KLM is tweaking its summer schedule and is holding on to several Embraer 190s that were due to be returned to lessors in a bid to overcome a capacity shortage caused by technical challenges affecting its Pratt & Whitney-powered E195-E2s. The carrier says that "due to technical issues” its regional unit KLM Cityhopper is having "difficulty fully deploying” its E2 jets. "KLM Cityhopper is consulting with Embraer and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to seek a solution for these issues, which have no impact on flight safety,” it adds. E195-E2s are equipped with PW1900G engines, part of P&W’s wider geared-turbofan (GTF) family. vWhile KLM does not specify the technical issues impacting the regional jet’s deployment, it appears to mark a spreading to the Embraer aircraft of the wider challenges P&W has been facing with its GTF engines. P&W is working to tackle durability issues with the PW1100G that powers some Airbus A320neos – an issue compounded by maintenance delays amid supply chain and labour shortages – while A220 operators have flagged lengthy maintenance delays impacting the aircraft’s PW15000G powerplant. Cirium fleets data shows KLM Cityhopper has 11 E195-E2s in service and four currently in storage. It also operates 17 E175s and 30 E190s and says it has secured alternative capacity by retaining a number of the latter that were to due be returned to lessors and by striking several wet-lease agreements. However, it is also making what it terms “minor adjustments” to its summer timetable, though it notes this affects flights several months away, giving customers plenty of notice to rebook if required.<br/>
sky
The CEO of Garuda Indonesia (GA, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) has held talks with a senior Kazakhstan government official about the prospects of opening a transit hub in that country and potential fifth freedom flights. According to an official Kazak government news release, CEO Irfan Setiaputra meet with Kazakhstan's ambassador to Indonesia, Daniyar Sarekenov, on May 4 to discuss starting flights on the country pair, and using one of Kazakhstan's airports as a jumping off point for Garuda Indonesia flights further afield. Following the meeting, Setiaputra said his airline would initially team up with Kazak majority-owned state-owned carrier Air Astana to offer flights between Denpasar and Almaty via Seoul Incheon. However, no details about start dates or frequencies were provided. No airline presently operates on the Indonesia - Kazakhstan country pair, although both carriers currently fly to Seoul Incheon. "The launch of this flight is considered as a pilot project between the Kazakh and Indonesian parties with the prospect of projecting it to other transit cities or opening direct flights between the two countries," the statement read. It adds that any fifth freedom flights (from any one of Kazakhstan's designated international airports) would operate under the provisions of that country's open skies framework. Setiaputra told ch-aviation there would be a formal announcement on the new flights soon.<br/>