Pratt & Whitney has opened the geared turbofan engine's maintenance network to third-party repair shops for the first time, the company announced on 11 April.
Five third-party companies -- Turbine Controls, StandardAero, Twin MRO, ACMT and Lewis & Saunders -- will support the PW1100G engine that powers the Airbus A320neo family, P&W says.
The selections come as P&W copes with new teething issues while Airbus ramps up production of the re-engined A320neo family.
“It is imperative for Pratt & Whitney to establish a strategic supply base now to enable us to deliver world class turnaround times,” says Heather Wilson, P&W’s senior director for aftermarket supply chain.
The five new third-parties join a network of MRO providers linked to companies in P&W’s supply chain or major airlines. That network comprises P&W, MTU Aero Engines, Japanese Aero engines, Lufthansa Technik and Delta TechOps.
The PW1100G engine entered service with an A320neo operated by Lufthansa in January 2016.
The engine features several new technologies, including a new centreline core, a fan drive gear system and hybrid metallic fan blades.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
