by Graham Webb is Chief Sustainability Officer for Pratt & Whitney

Hydrogen has an important role to play in enabling the aviation industry’s pathway to net zero carbon emissions. As the world’s leader in aviation propulsion, Pratt & Whitney is focused on developing technologies that take advantage of the potential opportunities this fuel source provides. That’s just one reason why we recently joined a consortium of more than 60 partners from six states intending to establish a clean hydrogen hub in the U.S. Northeast region that connects with a national clean hydrogen ecosystem.

If funded through the federal Clean Hydrogen Hubs program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, a regional hydrogen hub could coordinate the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen, which is key to achieving the aviation industry’s goal of net zero air transport carbon emissions by 2050. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is collaborating with the consortium partners on a proposal.

Partnerships for the acceleration and maturation of technology development are a key aspect of the aerospace industry’s product technology readiness strategy, and Pratt & Whitney has been harnessing the power of collaboration for decades. These partnerships leverage funding, validation facilities, and research expertise that are available in government agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Energy (DoE), the Department of Defense (DoD) and universities. In turn, these partnerships have led to differentiating technologies that contribute to more than two million U.S. jobs* and typically contribute over $40 billion annually to our national balance of trade.

More recently, our collaborative activities have focused on developing the suite of technologies that would be required for the next-generation single-aisle (NGSA) propulsion system. These include:

• NASA: As part of NASA’s Sustainable Flight National Partnership, Pratt & Whitney is developing advanced high-pressure turbine technologies that will reduce fuel consumption and emissions for next generation single-aisle aircraft. The Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) projects support the development of next-generation ceramic matrix composites (CMC) materials capable of operating at high temperatures, environmental barrier coatings, and advanced cooling and aerodynamic approaches that will enable new component designs for improved engine efficiency.

• FAA: Since 2010 Pratt & Whitney has collaborated with the FAA in multiple Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program initiatives aimed at developing technologies to drive even higher efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower noise in aircraft engines. Most notably, the revolutionary Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine includes several technologies resulting from CLEEN programs collaborations, including its ultra-low fan pressure ratio, compressor, and turbine technologies. Since entering service in 2016, the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine has enabled single-aisle aircraft operators to save 800 million gallons of fuel, avoid eight million metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions, reduce NOx emissions by 50 percent, and reduce noise by 75 percent.
• U.S. DoE: Pratt & Whitney is pursuing hydrogen propulsion in collaboration with U.S. DoE’s ARPA-E program. The Hydrogen Steam Injected, Inter‐Cooled Turbine Engine (HySIITE) project will use liquid hydrogen combustion and water vapor recovery to achieve zero in-flight CO₂ emissions, while reducing NOx emissions by up to 80 percent and reducing fuel consumption by up to 35 percent for next generation single-aisle aircraft. Pratt & Whitney also received funding from the DoE to develop water vapor resistant composites for hydrogen-based turbines.
• Canada’s Green Recovery Plan: Hybrid-electric technology could offer even more fuel efficiency and reduced emissions across a wide range of aircraft applications. Supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec, Pratt & Whitney is advancing this technology with a regional aircraft scale hybrid-electric flight demonstrator that targets a 30 percent reduction in fuel burn and CO₂ emissions, with plans to potentially apply this technology to larger aircraft. This project is supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec and is on track for ground testing later this year and flight testing of the demonstrator in 2024.
• University partnerships: Pratt & Whitney partners with leading universities such as Pennsylvania State University, University of Hartford, and University of Connecticut for researching aviation propulsion systems that support the design and development of more efficient gas turbine engines. These partnerships allow us to research new technologies and provide students with exposure to a career in the aviation industry. Pratt & Whitney has established a Center of Excellence at the UConn School of Engineering, an additive manufacturing center at the UConn Tech Park, and the Pratt & Whitney Scholars Program provides $1.25 million in tuition assistance to help students from underrepresented groups study engineering at UConn.

The challenge that climate change presents is also an opportunity for the aviation industry to make change through new technology – but we cannot do it alone. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is critical to achieving our climate goals. As the leading manufacturer of propulsion systems for the aviation industry, Pratt & Whitney actively seeks out these mutually beneficial partnerships and we look forward to a clean hydrogen hub that could have a significant impact on reducing the environmental footprint of aviation.

*Aerospace Industries Association 2021 Facts & Figures report

Source: Pratt & Whitney

Dreieich, 2^nd November 2022. Hahn Air joins the Camino blockchain consortium facilitated by Chain4Travel.  As a new validator of the network, Hahn Air will be validating transactions that are submitted within the network. The Camino blockchain is a de-centralised private network that restricts access to members all of whom go through a “Know Your Customer” (KYC) process to validate identity and authenticity. As each validator is approved, the Camino blockchain is able to use Proof-of-Stake and Authority (PoSA). Compared to Proof-of-Work validation, this allows for reduced energy consumption and significantly increased transaction speed. Camino is governed by its consortium members, who are key players in the travel industry, including Tui and Eurowings,.

Blockchain technology holds enormous potential for the travel industry as it simplifies processes, facilitates collaboration among market participants and enhances the customer experience. Use cases for the travel industry are, for example, enhanced processes for inventory management, settlement, ancillaries and loyalty programmes. Hahn Air has already gained experience with blockchain technology by issuing the world’s first air ticket on the blockchain in 2019.

“Blockchain technology has established itself in various industries in recent years and the travel industry is next.”, says Ralf Usbeck, CEO of Chain4Travel. “Through the Camino chain, all companies in the travel industry – no matter how large or small – are given the opportunity to future-proof their own processes and benefit directly from the technological advances.”

“We are excited to join the Camino blockchain as a consortium member”, says Mathieu Montmessin, Executive Vice President Research & Development at Hahn Air. “We are looking forward co-create Camino as the worldwide operating system for travel products and to take influence on the development of new travel products. Camino allows communication and collaboration among partners at eye level. This will stimulate the creation of future business models and the travel products of tomorrow which will ultimately be a great asset to our partner airlines and travel agencies.”

Source: Hahn Air

Shanghai Engine Center, a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and China Eastern, to service the engines

SHANGHAI, November 5, 2022 – Pratt & Whitney announced today that China Eastern Airlines has extended their Fleet Hour Agreement (FHA) for over 100 of their V2500 engines, powering 50 Airbus A320/A321ceo aircraft. The agreement includes EngineWise® Data by ADEM™ (Advanced Diagnostics and Engine Monitoring) services to provide on-wing monitoring. The highly versatile and proven V2500 engine is offered through IAE International Aero Engines AG (IAE), a multinational aero engine consortium comprised of shareholders Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines.

Shanghai Engine Center (SEC), a joint venture between China Eastern and Pratt & Whitney, is well equipped to service the airline’s V2500 engines. Formed in 2007 and opened in 2009, SEC signifies the long-standing relationship between China Eastern and Pratt & Whitney. SEC has become an important maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in the region with growing capabilities including Line Maintenance Service for Pratt & Whitney GTF engines recently certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

“China Eastern and Pratt & Whitney are important collaborators along the industrial chain,” said Cheng Guowei, executive vice president, China Eastern Airlines. “We are pleased to sign the first aviation order at CIIE 2022 with Pratt & Whitney and IAE, opening a new chapter in our collaboration. The FHA will help China Eastern keep our fleet in good airworthiness and technical conditions, to bring pleasant flight experiences to our passengers.”

Headquartered in Shanghai, China Eastern is one of the largest airlines in China and a long-term customer of Pratt & Whitney. The airline took its first MD-90 aircraft powered by the V2500 engines in 1997 and currently operates more than 100 Airbus A320/A321ceo aircraft powered by the V2500 engines; almost all are covered by an FHA.

“China Eastern is a highly valued customer and collaborator of ours with strategic importance,” said Lori Liu, president, Pratt & Whitney China. “The extension of the FHA is another vote of confidence in our strong service offering with proven value adding for airlines customers.”

Pratt & Whitney and IAE provide enhanced services for V2500 passenger and freighter customers, including LLP solutions, new and serviceable material programs, engine swaps and more, which can be tailored and customized to support customers’ unique requirements. With long-term agreements, fixed price services and transactional solutions, the company offers an increasing variety of work scopes and payment options. The V2500 engine is also backed by an established global network of 17 facilities for MRO, including nine IAE partner facilities, of which three are managed by Pratt & Whitney and its joint ventures.

The V2500 offers proven performance. Since its entry into service in 1989, more than 7,800 V2500 engines have powered nearly 3,500 aircraft with approximately 150 operators in 80 countries. In total, the V2500 has powered more than 135 million flights and accumulated more than 250 million engine flight hours of experience.

About Pratt & Whitney 

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

At the recent World Financial Symposium in Doha, the transformational impact of retailing on airline Finance was a trending topic. Airline leaders discussed the opportunities for accounting in a world of offers and orders. At the event, Accelya customer Konda Reddy, Head of Revenue Accounting at Qantas, took the stage to set the scene for his industry colleagues.

NDC adoption is about airlines taking control of their retailing, which means selling products to customers at the right price for the customer and the airline. It allows airlines to make personalized offers directly to customers to give them more value and increase uptake. NDC has transformed airline distribution by heralding the concepts of offers and orders.

ONE Order is a logical extension of NDC and an essential step in retailing transformation. Touching every part of the airline, ONE Order enables the transformation of the travel experience from servicing, fulfillment, delivery, accounting, settlement, and interline.

The change to a world of offers and orders will be more complex than moving from paper to electronic tickets. Three pillars underpin a successful journey:

• An organization-wide strategy to replace PNRs/tickets with orders.
• Collaboration across departments.
• A roadmap for the transition that breaks this down into small steps designed to realize value.

Finance is a critical stakeholder, as we bring focus to the integrity of end-to-end processes. This integrity is essential, as airlines depend on offer and order implementation to simplify operations and improve the accuracy and timeliness of accounting and reporting.

Philip Fernandes, Senior Vice President – Product Strategy at Accelya interviewed Konda at the event. To watch the session, click here.

Source: Accelya

ORLANDO, Fla., October 17, 2022 – Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced today that a second maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for the PW800 engine will open in Germany in 2024 in cooperation with long-time collaborator MTU Aero Engines.

“This is another way we are striving to meet the MRO needs of our customers around the globe,” said Irene Makris, vice president, Customer Service at Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We are delighted to be collaborating with MTU on this new MRO facility. We have been working with MTU for more than three decades and have collaborated on many projects, including on the development of the low-pressure turbine and high-pressure compressor for the PW800 engine.”

“We always welcome the opportunity to expand our working relationship with Pratt & Whitney in our ongoing efforts to serve our common customer base,” said Dr. Ottmar Pfänder, SVP Commercial Programs, MTU Aero Engines. “We have worked with Pratt & Whitney Canada on the PW300 engine family since 1985 and we also became involved in the PW800 at the development stage of the program.” This new MRO facility will be located in Berlin-Brandenberg to enable PW800 MRO by 2024.

The PW800 engine family is the most modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible engine in its class. It offers double-digit improvements in fuel burn, emissions and noise as compared to the current generation of engines.

The PW800 engine powers the Gulfstream G500 and G600, which entered service in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and it was selected to power the G400. The engine also powers the Dassault Falcon 6X, which is expected to enter into service soon. This collaboration with MTU builds upon a P&WC $30 million investment in its Bridgeport, West Virginia, facility to create the first PW800 MRO.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

Pratt & Whitney
+1 (860) 565-9600
media@prattwhitney.com

Source: Pratt & Whitney

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IAE network shops will see 15 shop visits over three years

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., October 18, 2022 – Pratt & Whitney announced today that Royal Jordanian has agreed to a fixed price repair deal for their fleet of V2500 engines, powering as many as nine aircraft. The agreement represents 15 shop visits over three years, the first of which will be completed this month. The highly reliable and versatile V2500 engine is offered through IAE International Aero Engines AG (IAE), a multinational aero engine consortium comprised of shareholders Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines.

“The V2500 offers world-class operating economics,” said Samer Majali, Royal Jordanian Vice Chairman and CEO. “We look forward to working together with IAE for aftermarket services on these engines.”

Royal Jordanian (RJ) is the national carrier of Jordan since 1963, with a vision to be the Airline of Choice connecting Jordan and the Levant with the world. RJ runs its modern fleet of aircraft to reach worldwide destinations providing an extensive travel network for its guests via Amman to Europe, the US and Canada, North Africa and the Far East. RJ is one of the 14 international carriers of the oneworld alliance. Royal Jordanian’s cargo hub is strategically located in Amman, which provides the ideal location to easily access Europe, Asia, Africa, and anywhere in the Middle East.

“IAE offers service options to meet our customers’ needs. The V2500 is proven, and it’s designed to maximize time on wing while delivering a fuel and CO₂ advantage of more than 3% compared to its competing engine,” said Earl Exum, president, IAE. “These engines are in their prime and we look forward to supporting the Royal Jordanian fleet for years to come.”

Since its entry into service in 1989, more than 7,800 V2500 engines have powered nearly 3,500 aircraft with approximately 150 operators in 80 countries. The average age of the fleet is only 12.8 years.  In total, the V2500 has powered more than 135 million flights and accumulated more than 250 million engine flight hours of experience.

Pratt & Whitney and IAE provide enhanced services for the V2500 engine, including LLP solutions, new and serviceable material programs, engine swaps and more, which can be tailored and customized to support customers’ unique requirements. With long-term agreements, fixed price services and transactional solutions, the company offers an increasing variety of workscopes and payment options.

The V2500 engine is also backed by an established global network of 17 facilities for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including nine IAE partner facilities, of which three are managed by Pratt & Whitney and its joint ventures.

About Pratt & Whitney 
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

Source: Pratt & Whitney 

To drive operational improvements while reducing emissions, El Dorado International Airport (BOG) will become the first airport in Latin America to adopt Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), leveraging SITA’s Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) modules. The technology will minimize disruptions and improve runway and air traffic flow management through increased stakeholder collaboration.

Airports, like BOG, are under increasing strain to keep up with capacity demands as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels. The late arrival or departure of a flight in one airport often has a ripple effect on the operations of airlines and other airports, negatively impacting the passenger experience.

Optimizing airside operations and greater collaboration among the different stakeholders in the travel value chain – airports, ground handlers, air traffic control, and airlines operating from the airport – are key to managing disruptions and the environmental impacts of airport-based operations.

The findings of a 2016 evaluation of 17 European airports using A-CDM reveal annual total savings of 102,700 tons of CO₂, over 2.2 million minutes of taxiing time, and €26.6 million in fuel. Waypoint’s 2050 report identifies the acceleration of the full implementation of A-CDM to improve airport-based operations as one of the practical emission reduction opportunities possible this decade, supporting the aviation sector’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

BOG will utilize a Pre-Departure Sequencing (PDS) tool from SITA’s CDM solution to maximize the throughput of aircraft arriving at the runway before departure. By optimally sequencing flights and reducing aircraft ground movements, it prevents unnecessary wait times with running engines, which in turn, reduces fuel burn, carbon emissions, and noise pollution, and minimizes negative impacts on air quality.

Operadora Aeroportuaria Internacional (OPAIN), the operator of BOG airport, has signed a six-year contract to deploy modules of SITA CDM after completing another project to upgrade its airport management system. The upgraded SITA Airport Management solution will optimize operations at landside and is expected to be fully implemented at BOG by the end of 2022. After which, SITA CDM will be deployed to optimize airside operations in time for the airport’s busy summer travel season in 2023. The combination of landside and airside optimization moves the airport towards a more end-to-end approach for greater efficiencies.

Tomás Aragón, COO, OPAIN, said, “El Dorado International Airport is a busy airport serving as the main gateway to Colombia. With traffic levels almost back to our pre-pandemic levels, we’ve selected SITA’s airport technologies to improve the efficiency of our operations and step up our emission reduction efforts. Minimizing operational disruptions helps ensure we deliver the best possible airport customer experience.”

Matthys Serfontein, SITA President, Americas, said: “We’re proud to be supporting the introduction of Airport Collaborative Decision Making into Latin America. It’s a win-win situation for El Dorado International Airport and its partners because increased collaboration will deliver substantial cost and carbon savings. And, improved punctuality is great news for passengers too.”