Pratt & Whitney announced today that Delta Air Lines (“Delta”) has exercised purchase rights for another 12 GTF-powered A220-300 aircraft. This brings Delta’s order to date to 107 firm A220 aircraft, plus 38 purchase rights. Delta operates the largest A220 fleet in the world, having grown to more than 50 aircraft in about three and a half years since the airline’s first delivery.

“Delta’s growing A220 fleet reinforces Delta’s commitment to sustainability,” said Mahendra Nair, senior vice president of fleet and TechOps supply chain at Delta Air Lines. “Powered by Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines, our A220-300 aircraft offer industry-leading fuel efficiency while still delivering superior performance.”

Pratt & Whitney GTF engines power three of Delta’s most modern, efficient and sustainable aircraft from Airbus: the 109-seat A220-100, the 130-seat A220-300 and the 194-seat A321neo. Delta selected the GTF-powered A220 in 2016 and GTF engines for its A321neo fleet in 2017. The airline entered service with the A220 in 2019 and with the A321neo on May 20, 2022. Pratt & Whitney currently powers more than 230 aircraft in Delta’s fleet, including Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft. In 2019, Delta TechOps joined the GTF MRO network, which supports operators of GTF-powered A220 and A320neo family aircraft around the world.

“Today Delta becomes the first airline to commit to more than 100 GTF-powered A220 aircraft,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “This order demonstrates Delta’s confidence in Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, and in the exceptional economic and sustainability benefits that the GTF-powered A220 continues to deliver.”

The Pratt & Whitney GTF engine is the only geared propulsion system delivering industry-leading sustainability benefits and dependable, world-class operating costs. It is the only engine that powers both modern single-aisle aircraft platforms from Airbus: the A220 and A320neo families. GTF-powered aircraft reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by 16% to 20%, NOx emissions by 50% and noise footprint by 75%.* Certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and successfully tested on 100% SAF, the engines are capable of further reductions in carbon emissions, which will help the aviation industry meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The engine’s revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for more sustainable aviation technologies in the decades ahead, with advancements like the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage™ engine and beyond. Learn more at pwgtf.com.

*Reductions vs. prior-generation aircraft, based on 75 dB noise contour and ICAO CAEP/6 emissions regulations.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units.

Pratt & Whitney announced today that leading aircraft leasing company Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has selected GTF engines to power 80 firm A320neo family aircraft, as well as 76 firm and 10 option GTF-powered A220 aircraft. This brings ALC’s total to date to 222 firm and 10 option GTF-powered aircraft.

“ALC is continuing to foster our fleet’s growth in 2022 and beyond,” said John Plueger, chief executive officer at ALC. “We are pleased to add more GTF-powered aircraft to our fleet, which offer our customers world-class operating economics and dependability.”

ALC owns, manages and has on order more than 275 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney, including Airbus A220 and A320neo families with GTF engines, Airbus A320ceo family with V2500® engines and Airbus A330 family aircraft with PW4000 engines. ALC serves over 110 customers in approximately 70 countries with dynamic fleet solutions.

“Pratt & Whitney and ALC have a long, collaborative history,” said Rick Deurloo, president, commercial engines and chief commercial officer at Pratt & Whitney. “With increasing fuel and commodity prices and growing concerns about climate change, the GTF leads the pack on fuel efficiency, emissions and noise. These GTF-powered aircraft will help ALC’s customers lower their operating costs and environmental footprint, and we look forward to working with them for years to come.”

The Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine is the only geared propulsion system delivering industry-leading sustainability benefits and dependable, world-class operating costs. It is the only engine that powers both modern single-aisle aircraft platforms from Airbus: the A220 and A320neo families. GTF-powered aircraft reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by 16% to 20%, NOx emissions by 50% and noise footprint by 75%*. Certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and successfully tested on 100% SAF, the engines are capable of further reductions in carbon emissions, which will help the aviation industry meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The engine’s revolutionary geared fan architecture is the foundation for more sustainable aviation technologies in the decades ahead, with advancements like the Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage™ engine and beyond. Learn more at pwgtf.com.

*Reductions vs. prior-generation aircraft, based on 75 dB noise contour and ICAO CAEP/6 emissions regulations.

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. 

Lean, connected, automated initiatives resulting in increased efficiency, productivity

Pratt & Whitney is modernizing and transforming its Operations business with Industry 4.0 technologies in the pursuit of unbeatable manufacturing and assembly excellence. The company is leveraging digital communication technologies like the Intranet  of things (IoT) and connected devices, along with advanced manufacturing technologies including automation, robotics, virtual reality, and closed-door machining, to create a fully integrated manufacturing environment. These initiatives drive immense amounts of data that can be immediately converted to useable information.

“We’re driving higher levels of process capability, optimized with lean principles, automated where appropriate, and in a connected environment that collects data, runs analytics, and provides information to operators and leaders in real-time,” said Praba Baptist, vice president, Operational Excellence, Pratt & Whitney. “This digital ecosystem has allowed us to continuously improve, sharing best practices for adoption across our manufacturing footprint. This is the next evolution in lean manufacturing and one way we are going beyond for our employees, customers, and shareholders.”

CORE™: A Framework for How Pratt & Whitney Does Business

A key driver of Pratt & Whitney’s transformation is the Raytheon Technologies CORE Operating System. CORE, which stands for Customer Oriented Results and Excellence, provides a common language, toolset, and methodology for delivering on customer commitments. It was designed with Industry 4.0 capabilities built in and is a framework for how Pratt & Whitney does business.

Investments supporting CORE and Pratt & Whitney’s Operational Excellence strategy — including connected factory, automation, and enhanced process control — have improved the overall effectiveness of its manufacturing footprint with enhanced employee experience, which in turn has resulted in reduced variation and waste in the production of the company’s products.

 

Connecting the Factory by 2024

Pratt & Whitney’s connected factory initiative enables integrated, real-time demand planning to ensure alignment to meet customer demand. Automated workflows, real-time materials and data tracking, scheduling, and energy optimization are just a few examples of how a connected factory can improve efficiency while reducing time and waste.

This initiative has increased productivity and asset turnover, and the ability to have the right quantity of the right part at the right place at the right time.

The company has connected over 40% of total machines to date and plans to connect 100% of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) machines and 75% of Aftermarket machines enterprise-wide by 2024. All new machines procured during and after that time will automatically be added to the connected system.

 

Automating for Superior Safety, Quality, Productivity & Cost

The introduction of highly automated solutions across Pratt & Whitney’s manufacturing footprint is targeted at improving safety, quality, productivity, and cost.

The company is focused on automating repetitive motion situations like torquing and directly loading and unloading heat treat operations. The efforts to use automation have improved quality by controlling the process, increasing productivity and machine utilization.

Pratt & Whitney is incorporating automation to enhance highly manual areas benefitting process control, while digitally harmonizing the “4Ms of manufacturing”— i.e., material, methods, machines, and man.

By incorporating these solutions, it creates a standard method that is scalable and opens a new level of speed and efficiency in delivering to the needs of Pratt & Whitney’s customers.

 

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. 

Pratt & Whitney today announced that it has started FAR33 certification testing of the GTF Advantage engine. The company continues to run extensive endurance testing to ensure product maturity at entry into service, building on more than 15 million of hours of service experience. To date the engine has completed more than 2,000 hours of development and certification testing, including a successful test on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) earlier this year.

“GTF Advantage offers even more value to our customers, especially on longer-range aircraft like the A321XLR,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “It will extend GTF’s lead as the most sustainable, fuel-efficient and powerful engine for the A320neo family – and it will be highly reliable on day one.”

The GTF Advantage engine reduces fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by an additional 1%, making it 17% better than prior-generation engines. With up to 34,000 pounds of takeoff thrust, GTF Advantage will also enable increases in payload and range, thereby unlocking more destinations for airlines. The engine is currently scheduled to become available to customers in 2024.

“GTF Advantage provides more thrust while running cooler, with more airflow and improvements in aerodynamics, coatings and clearance control,” said Jim Pennito, vice president of A320neo family engines at Pratt & Whitney. “We’re able to do all this thanks to our revolutionary geared fan, which gives us an architecture with a long runway for the future.”

Later this year, the GTF Advantage engine will continue FAR33 certification testing on the wing of the company’s flying test bed in Mirabel, Canada. The engine will also start aircraft-level validation testing on the Airbus A320neo development aircraft in Toulouse, France.

Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines have saved airlines more than 800 million gallons (more than three billion liters) of fuel and more than eight million metric tons of carbon emissions. More than 1,300 GTF-powered planes have been delivered to 62 operators across three aircraft families: Airbus A320neo, Airbus A220 and Embraer E-Jets E2. GTF engines have powered more than four million flights, carrying more than 500 million passengers to their destinations around the world. Learn more at pwgtf.com.

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. 

Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and Collins Aerospace (Collins), both Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX) businesses, today announced the launch of a new hybrid-electric technology demonstrator program applicable to future advanced air mobility vehicles. The Scalable Turboelectric Powertrain Technology (STEP-Tech) demonstrator extends Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace’s longstanding collaboration on hybrid-electric technology development, which is a core element of both companies’ strategies for powering sustainable aviation and enabling customers to achieve the goal of net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.

The STEP-Tech demonstrator will be based at the Raytheon Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, CT, and will focus on developing high voltage distributed turboelectric hybrid-electric propulsion concepts in the 100-500kW class, with potential to scale to 1MW and beyond. The modular and scalable nature of the STEP-Tech demonstrator platform enables a wide range of configurations to be rapidly prototyped and demonstrated. Having completed proof of concept studies earlier this year, ground testing with the platform is targeted to commence in late 2022.

“Innovation has always been at the heart of Pratt & Whitney, and we are delighted to expand our work on hybrid-electric technology by leveraging our close collaboration with Collins,” said Geoff Hunt, senior vice president, engineering and technology, Pratt & Whitney. “Hybrid-electric offers the potential to not only unlock even greater efficiency in future aircraft, but also support the emergence of a whole new arena of advanced air mobility solutions. Ultimately our continual pursuit of advanced propulsion technologies will help enable aviation’s pathway to net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.”

The STEP-Tech demonstrator platform will include full end-to-end system capabilities, including a high-efficiency turbogenerator, energy storage, power electronics and modular electrically driven propulsors. Successfully demonstrated technology could be implemented in a range of novel aircraft applications, including high speed eVTOL, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and small to medium sized commercial air transporters.

Henry Brooks, president, Power & Controls for Collins Aerospace, said, “With Pratt & Whitney’s track record in aircraft propulsion and Collins’ legacy of innovation in electric power systems, we are exceptionally well-positioned to lead the advancement of hybrid-electric technology for the next generation of sustainable aircraft. Our demonstrator programs will help mature technologies and components that can be adapted to a range of different applications, from smaller eVTOLs, to regional turboprops, to single-aisle airliners.”

Existing P&W-Collins collaborations on hybrid-electric technology include the regional aircraft flight demonstrator, based on a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 turboprop, and supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec. Hybrid-electric propulsion provides opportunities to optimize engine performance across different phases of flight, enabling greater fuel efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions across a range of different aircraft segments. Hybrid-electric technology is also highly scalable, which means that motor components and electric control systems developed as part of the demonstrator announced today may eventually support larger scale applications, including single-aisle commercial aircraft.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies business, 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.

About Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies business, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the extensive capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and broad expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. For more information, visit www.CollinsAerospace.com.

Fast, secure, and reliable connectivity will support the carrier’s post-pandemic recovery.

Malaysia Airlines has renewed its partnership with SITA for a comprehensive upgrade that will link its global operations to its hub in Kuala Lumpur with fast, secure, and reliable network connectivity.

As part of the five-year agreement, Malaysia Airlines will leverage SITA Connect, specifically designed for the air transport industry, to meet the airline’s needs in and outside airports. SITA Connect will lower connectivity costs, improve the quality of service, enable ease of access to new features and applications, and facilitate their passengers’ check-in process worldwide, benefiting from SITA’s global presence at over 650 airports across 220 countries and territories.

SITA Connect will also provide network connectivity that allows team members to access central systems from anywhere, supporting the airline’s worldwide operation for employees working remotely. Security was a key factor in selecting SITA’s solution to support the airline’s critical operational systems.

Izham Ismail, Group CEO, Malaysia Airlines, said: “We’re excited to ramp up our operational capabilities as the industry’s recovery takes hold, with the support of our trusted technology partner SITA. Boosting the connectivity, security, and agility of the backbone technologies that support Malaysia Airlines will ensure we are ready for the influx of passengers over the coming months and poised to deliver a seamless travel experience for all.”

Sumesh Patel, APAC President at SITA, said: “SITA has a long history of collaboration with Malaysia Airlines. We’re excited to renew the relationship once more by upgrading several services that will ultimately help deliver a smooth passenger process. Operational efficiency is under the microscope in the wake of the pandemic, and we’re committed to helping the industry recover with smart solutions that are resilient, agile, and cost-effective.”

The $400m transaction was oversubscribed and is linked to the company’s sustainability performance.

SITA, a global IT provider for the aviation industry, has signed a $400m inaugural sustainability-linked revolving credit facility over a minimum three-year term. The backup facility will support the company’s general business needs, such as developing new solutions and strategies to alleviate the air transport industry’s challenges of today and in the future.

The syndication was oversubscribed. As part of the arrangement, four new banks have signed up to support SITA in addition to the company’s five existing banking partners, underlining investor confidence in the technology provider. SITA’s robust cost control, effective cash management, and strengthening green credentials are factors contributing to investor interest.

This new backup syndicated facility will supersede the company’s previous bilateral committed lines and is now directly linked to pre-agreed environmental KPIs and yearly targets, with a bonus or a malus on the interest margin depending on SITA’s performance.

In recent years, SITA has ramped up its emission reduction efforts, achieving CarbonNeutral® status under The CarbonNeutral Protocol in 2021. More recently, the company announced its commitment to setting science-based targets via the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to join other leading companies to combat climate change aligned to net-zero and the 1.5^oC scenario of the Paris Agreement.

The syndicated credit facility linked to environmental performance is an innovative step forward in the company’s ongoing sustainability efforts. It includes significant reduction targets relating to Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions to align with SBTi frameworks. SITA’s performance against these targets will be externally audited.

Société Générale and Crédit Industriel et Commercial are acting as joint coordinators and bookrunners of the transaction. Société Générale has been mandated as ‘ESG Coordinator’ and ‘Facility Agent’ while Crédit Industriel et Commercial acted as ‘Documentation Agent’. In addition, Barclays, Credit Suisse, and J.P. Morgan joined as mandated lead arrangers. Bank of China, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), and Unicredit are taking part as lead arrangers while Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) is taking part as arranger.

Nicolas Husson, CFO of SITA, said: “Sustainability is high on our agenda and we are deeply committed to ensuring a sustainable future for all, including for our employees, customers, and partners. We are delighted to secure financing that is directly linked to the performance of our sustainability ambitions.”

• Gas turbine-based concept significantly reduces impact on the climate
• Operation with SAFs and hydrogen in all thrust categories possible

Through its Clean Air Engine (Claire) technology agenda, MTU is hard at work on reducing the climate impact and energy use of aviation propulsion systems in three stages. Zero emissions is the big goal. The company is focusing its efforts on the evolution of the gas turbine on the basis of the Geared Turbofan (GTF) and on revolutionary concepts. The favored revolutionary concepts include the Flying Fuel Cell and the Water-Enhanced Turbofan, or WET Engine. “This GTF-based engine will significantly reduce CO₂ and NOx emissions as well as formation of contrails,” says MTU COO Lars Wagner.

“Since the concept is based on the gas turbine, the WET engine can rely in full on MTU’s expertise,” explains Dr. Stefan Weber, Senior Vice President Engineering and Technology at MTU in Munich. The WET engine uses residual heat from the engine’s exhaust gas. To do this, a steam generator is used to evaporate water and inject it into the combustion chamber. This kind of “wet” combustion increases the engine’s efficiency, but that isn’t all. It also reduces nitrogen oxide emissions massively. The water needed for this is collected from the exhaust gas inside a condenser connected to a water separator. Fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and formation of contrails are also sharply reduced.

Weber continues: “The WET Engine can be operated with jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), and hydrogen, and it can be used in short-, medium-, and long-haul flights. That means it covers the range where almost all of the aviation sector’s climate impact is generated.” By reducing climate impact by about 80 percent, this concept will achieve near climate neutrality as early as 2035. “It is also highly efficient, so it cuts costs and conserves valuable resources.”

In addition to the planned market launch in 2035, the Water-Enhanced Turbofan is to undergo further optimization between now and 2050. Near drop-in fuels – SAFs with chemical adjustments – can be used to achieve maximum reductions in climate impact. The adjustments needed, if any, will be minor. “If the WET Engine was operated with hydrogen, it would not only have further advantages in terms of climate-related emissions, but would also potentially reduce the engine’s weight and air resistance thanks to more-compact design and construction, as the heat exchangers needed for the concept can utilize the full cooling potential of cryogenic hydrogen,” explains Dr. Claus Riegler, Senior Vice President Technology & Engineering Advanced Programs at Germany’s leading engine manufacturer in Munich.

About MTU Aero Engines

MTU Aero Engines AG is Germany’s leading engine manufacturer. The company is a technological leader in low-pressure turbines, high-pressure compressors, turbine center frames as well as manufacturing processes and repair techniques. In the commercial OEM business, the company plays a key role in the development, manufacturing and marketing of high-tech components together with international partners. Some 30 percent of today’s active aircraft in service worldwide have MTU components on board. In the commercial maintenance sector, the company ranks among the top three service providers for commercial aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines. The activities are combined under the roof of MTU Maintenance. In the military arena, MTU Aero Engines is Germany’s industrial lead company for practically all engines operated by the country’s military. MTU operates a network of locations around the globe; Munich is home to its corporate headquarters. In fiscal 2021, the company had a workforce of over 10,000 employees and posted consolidated sales of almost 4.2 billion euros.

 

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Press Officer Technology

Tel.: +49 89 14 89 53 33

Cell phone: +49 176 1001 7133

E-mail: martina.vollmuth@mtu.de

 

 

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