FAA mandates seal replacements on select Airbus A380 GP7200 engines

The FAA issued an airworthiness directive on October 8, 2026 requiring the replacement of 15 high‑pressure turbine interstage seals in Engine Alliance GP7200‑series engines on Airbus A380s, with the directive taking effect on October 23, 2026 and urgent replacements due within 50 flight cycles or 30 days, whichever occurs first.

Replacement deadlines extend to 150 flight cycles or 90 days after the effective date, must use parts approved under an Engine Alliance service bulletin dated September 4, 2026, and are estimated to cost $528,150 per engine, including $527,300 for parts, while no engines on U.S.-registered aircraft are affected.