Cracks in jet engine seals mean more inspections for older GE engines

US aviation regulators are requiring new inspections for certain General Electric jet engines. Airlines must now regularly check for cracks in a specific engine part, or replace it with a newer design.

This is a routine safety update, but it highlights the ongoing costs of maintaining aging aircraft fleets. Airlines operating these specific GE engines will face increased maintenance expenses and potential downtime for inspections. The optional terminating action means airlines can avoid repetitive checks by upgrading the part, which could accelerate fleet modernization for some operators.