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Air New Zealand and Pratt & Whitney Increase Christchurch Engine Centre for Enhanced GTF Engine MRO
Friday, November 8, 2024
Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX, and Air New Zealand marked a milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for a serious US$150 million, 14,000-square-meter growth of the Christchurch Engine Centre. This growth will introduce superior upkeep, restore, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine in New Zealand, aiming to realize as much as 140 GTF engine overhauls yearly by 2032.
Development on the expanded facility begins this month, with the primary GTF engine overhaul anticipated by the fourth quarter of 2026. Established in 1948 by Air New Zealand, the Christchurch Engine Centre developed right into a three way partnership with Pratt & Whitney in 2001, initially targeted on JT8D and later V2500 engines. Presently, the middle employs over 400 expert professionals and has efficiently overhauled greater than 1,500 IAE Worldwide Aero Engines AG V2500 engines.
“This project between Air New Zealand and global aviation leader Pratt & Whitney marks a significant investment to New Zealand’s economy, helps expand our aviation industrial capability, and adds 200 high value jobs into the Canterbury region,” stated Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
“The Christchurch Engine Centre has a proven track record of delivering exceptional performance and quality with a highly capable workforce,” stated Shane Eddy, president, Pratt & Whitney. “With the Asia-Pacific region projected to experience the highest aviation growth globally over the next 20 years, it is a strategic imperative for us to invest here and partner with Air New Zealand as we continue to expand the GTF MRO network in support of the growing fleet.”
The GTF engine stands as essentially the most fuel-efficient and sustainable engine obtainable for single-aisle plane at the moment, delivering as much as 20% reductions in gasoline consumption and carbon emissions in comparison with previous-generation engines. Moreover, GTF engines function a 75% smaller noise footprint. Since coming into service in 2016, GTF engines have helped airways worldwide save 2 billion gallons of gasoline and cut back carbon emissions by 20 million metric tons.
Air New Zealand Chair Dame Therese Walsh highlighted that the 14,000-square-meter growth will allow the airline to service each its V2500 engines for A321ceo plane and PW1100G-JM GTF engines for A320/A321neo plane domestically in Aotearoa.
“The introduction of new GTF repair capability will be completed in 2026, and the Christchurch Engine Centre will maintain, repair or overhaul both the V2500 and PW1100G-JM engines for many years to come,” stated Walsh. “As our fleet of Airbus aircraft continues to grow, with another four expected to arrive over the next three years, the importance of this facility to our airline also grows allowing us to continue to deliver on our purpose of connecting Kiwis with each other and the world.”
The Christchurch Engine Centre is devoted to advancing Pratt & Whitney’s sustainability imaginative and prescient, prioritizing environmental safety, worker well being, and neighborhood well-being. This facility growth reinforces that dedication, paving the way in which for modern options and new initiatives aimed toward constructing a greener enterprise and a extra sustainable world.
