Delta has discovered unapproved components in “a small number” of its jet aircraft engines, becoming the latest carrier and fourth major US airline to disclose the use of fake parts. The suspect components — which Delta declined to identify — were found on an unspecified number of its engines, a company spokesman said Monday. Those engines account for less than 1% of the more than 2,100 power plants on its mainline fleet, the spokesman said. American Airlines Group Inc., United Airlines Holdings Inc. and Southwest Airlines Co. previously disclosed finding parts from AOG Technics Ltd. on aircraft engines. That London-based company is at the center of probes by regulators into spare engine parts it sold for a longstanding type of jet engine made by CFM International Inc., a joint venture of General Electric Co. and Safran SA. Delta would not say if the engines with the fraudulently documented parts had been on planes while they were in service. The problematic pieces, which were certified by AOG, were detected during engine work by an unnamed third party, the spokesman said. As many as 21 of Delta’s engines could have been affected, according to Bloomberg calculations based on data provided by the airline, which would represent the most among US carriers that have disclosed a number. As many as 96 total engines were impacted by parts supplied by AOG, GE has said. “Delta has been informed by one of our engine service providers that a small number of engines they overhauled for us contain certain parts that do not meet documentation requirements,” the company said in a statement. “Working with the overhaul provider, we are in the process of replacing those parts and remain in compliance with all FAA guidelines.”<br/>
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Mexican carrier Aeromexico has said it will introduce 17 new routes to the USA after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted Mexico’s security status, allowing that country’s carriers to once again expand service across its northern border. The Mexico City-based carrier said on 2 October that beginning in January 2024, as part of a joint venture with Delta Air Lines, it will gradually introduce the routes from seven Mexican airports to nine US destinations. Those flights will also carry Delta’s code. “With the new routes and increased frequencies to current destinations, [Aeromexico] plans to operate nearly 60 daily frequencies to the United States by July 2024, representing a 35% increase in departures compared to 2023, with a presence in 36 US markets,” the airline says. “Delta is planning to operate 34 daily frequencies to Mexico in July 2024, serving seven different Mexican destinations.” The US cities it plans to connect to Mexico with new flights include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, McAllen (Texas), New York, Salt Lake City and Washington, DC. ”The Aeromexico-Delta JCA will deliver over 30% more seats year-over-year, widening options for passengers to travel between the US and Mexico,” the airline adds. By 2024, the Aeromexico-Delta venture will have ”over 90 daily flights” between Mexico and the United States on almost 60 routes. “This reinforces the commitment of the cross-border alliance to bring the two countries closer together through a robust network and seamless connectivity, accompanied by consistent industry-leading products and services,” the carrier says. The expansion comes in the wake of the FAA once again lifting Mexico’s safety status to so-called Category 1, the highest level, after it had been relegated to Category 2 for more than two years.<br/>