IAG Orders P&W GTF Engines for 47 A320neos
US OEM also announces EASA ETOPS approval, expansion of GTF service network

International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) signed an MOU with Pratt & Whitney (P&W; Chalet 346, SD C2) here at the Paris Air Show for PurePower PW1100G-JM Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines to power 47 firm Airbus A320neo orders. IAG is the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. The GTF engines currently power 67 aircraft flown by 13 operators and have more than 200,000 hours of passenger service.

“Pratt & Whitney appreciates IAG’s faith in the GTF engine, which demonstrated its promised fuel burn savings, emissions, and reduction in noise footprint,” said Chris Calio, president, commercial engines.

U.S.-based P&W also announced here that EASA has granted the engine 180-minute Extended Range Operations (ETOPS) eligibility, following FAA ETOPS approval last December. ETOPS certification sets the maximum allowed single-engine flying time an aircraft can be from the nearest suitable airport. Calio called the latest approval “a significant milestone for both te Pratt & Whitney Team and the PurePower engine family.”

Helping ensure proper support for the PurePower engines, P&W also announced an expansion of its GTF service providers network to include Eagle Services Asia Pte (P&W Singapore Engine Center), joining MTU Aero Engines, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and Lufthansa Technik. The Singapore Engine Center will provide maintenance for the PW1100G-JM. P&W will invest €76 million ($85 million) to outfit the facility with advanced capabilities including an environmental control and engine flow line systems.

“Asia is home to a large base of carriers that will fly GTF-powered A320neo aircraft,” said Kevin Kirkpatrick, executive director, aftermarket operations, Asia-Pacific. “Expanding the MRO network to support customers in this region is a strategic decision for us.”