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RTX’s Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand Announce US$150 Million Enlargement at Christchurch Engine Centre
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) enterprise, and Air New Zealand right this moment hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a US$150 million, 14,000 sq. meter enlargement of its Christchurch Engine Centre.
The enlargement will add upkeep, restore and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine in New Zealand, with capability for as much as 140 GTF engine overhauls deliberate yearly by 2032.
Development of the power enlargement begins this month, and the primary GTF engine overhaul is anticipated within the fourth quarter of 2026. The Christchurch Engine Centre was based in 1948 by Air New Zealand.
In 2001, the airline and Pratt & Whitney partnered to develop the three way partnership, specializing in the upkeep, restore and overhaul of JT8D then V2500 engines.
At this time, the Christchurch Engine Centre employs greater than 400 extremely expert workers and has 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 is essentially the most fuel-efficient and sustainable engine for single aisle plane obtainable right this moment. GTF engines decrease gasoline consumption and carbon emissions as much as 20% relative to earlier era plane and have a 75% smaller noise footprint.
World wide, GTF engines have saved airways 2 billion gallons of gasoline and 20 million metric tons of carbon emissions since entry into service in 2016.
Air New Zealand Chair Dame Therese Walsh stated the 14,000 sq. meter enlargement will permit the airline to service its V2500 engines powering the A320ceo plane and PW1100G-JM GTF engines on the A320/A321neo plane proper right here 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 funding is an actual vote of confidence within the Christchurch Engine Centre and our metropolis.
Christchurch Engine Centre is dedicated to Pratt & Whitney’s sustainability imaginative and prescient to guard the atmosphere together with the well being and security of its staff and the neighborhood round it.
The enlargement of the power will proceed the journey of this dedication in addition to usher in improvements and new initiatives for a greener enterprise and greener world.
