International Aero Engines and Pratt & Whitney have further clarified comments by the CFO of parent company United Technologies stating V2500 commercial production would conclude by 2016, now explaining the engine will continue to be produced for as long as demand exists.

"IAE commercial production for the V2500 engine will continue for as long as customer demand for the A320 current generation family of aircraft exists, likely for decades to come," said the consortium.

The statement by IAE was prompted after UTC CFO Greg Hayes said on the company's 19 October third quarter earnings call: "As you stop the engine deliveries on the V2500 in 2015, 2016 then all you have is an aftermarket stream for the next 30 years."

After the comments, UTC and IAE spokespersons elaborated on Hayes' remarks having said V2500 engines are on order in 2017, though "we may find that some [A320] customers may elect to convert" to A320neo aircraft powered by P&W PW1100G engines which will first deliver in October 2015.

The Airbus A320 family is the only V2500-powered commercial aircraft that remains in production today. Along with the Embraer KC-390 tanker, IAE holds orders for more than 2000 engines.

IAE is a joint venture between P&W, Rolls-Royce, MTU, and Japanese Aero Engines, and on 12 October it was announced P&W would purchase Rolls-Royce's share in IAE.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news