Narrative:

After departing; climbing through FL360; we got an engine 2 air system fault message on the ECAM. We followed ECAM guidance; and pulled the #2 thrust lever to idle. At this time we also coordinated with center to stop our climb at FL360. As airspeed began to deteriorate; I set the no. 1 engine; which did not improve the situation a great deal. The first officer quickly found the procedure; which we applied. This procedure leaves the affected thrust lever at idle. We decided that this was not the proper aircraft configuration to continue to [destination]. We continued our coordination with ATC; requesting further descent; and a return to [departure airport]. The weather was VFR; and it seemed to us to be the correct place to take the aircraft; given the situation. It should be noted that when the no. 2 thrust lever was moved out of idle; the engine 2 air system fault ECAM returned; directing us to return the thrust lever to idle. The engine was not shut down; but we were left without the majority of its thrust; basically rendering us engine out. Given this fact; and our pressing need to descend; I [advised ATC]; in order to expedite our descent and return to [departure airport]. As we began our descent and return; we coordinated with dispatch; briefed the flight attendants; and made an announcement to the passengers; explaining that we would be returning to [departure airport]. We requested and received clearance for a visual approach. An uneventful landing was made; and an inspection of the aircraft was conducted prior to taxiing to the terminal. Nothing unusual was noted by the fire/rescue truck; so we continued to the gate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 flight crew reported returning to the departure airport after receiving ECAM message 'Eng 2 Air Sys Fault' that resulted in operating engine 2 at idle thrust for the rest of the flight.

Narrative: After departing; climbing through FL360; we got an ENG 2 AIR SYS FAULT message on the ECAM. We followed ECAM guidance; and pulled the #2 thrust lever to idle. At this time we also coordinated with Center to stop our climb at FL360. As airspeed began to deteriorate; I set the No. 1 engine; which did not improve the situation a great deal. The FO quickly found the procedure; which we applied. This procedure leaves the affected thrust lever at idle. We decided that this was not the proper aircraft configuration to continue to [destination]. We continued our coordination with ATC; requesting further descent; and a return to [departure airport]. The weather was VFR; and it seemed to us to be the correct place to take the aircraft; given the situation. It should be noted that when the No. 2 thrust lever was moved out of idle; the ENG 2 AIR SYS FAULT ECAM returned; directing us to return the thrust lever to idle. The engine was not shut down; but we were left without the majority of its thrust; basically rendering us engine out. Given this fact; and our pressing need to descend; I [advised ATC]; in order to expedite our descent and return to [departure airport]. As we began our descent and return; we coordinated with Dispatch; briefed the Flight Attendants; and made an announcement to the passengers; explaining that we would be returning to [departure airport]. We requested and received clearance for a visual approach. An uneventful landing was made; and an inspection of the aircraft was conducted prior to taxiing to the terminal. Nothing unusual was noted by the Fire/Rescue truck; so we continued to the gate.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.