Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX), along with JetBlue Airways (“JetBlue”) celebrated the entry into service of the airline’s first A220 aircraft which is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines. The event was commemorated with a gate ceremony at Boston Logan International Airport, attended by representatives from JetBlue, Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, after which the plane departed for Tampa International Airport.

“We are thrilled to introduce our first A220 aircraft to our customers and offer them a quieter, more sustainable flight experience. The A220 with GTF engines represents the future of our fleet, with unmatched fuel efficiency, low emissions and industry-leading passenger comfort,” said Ursula Hurley, head of treasury and investor relations, JetBlue. “Pratt & Whitney has been there for us since the very beginning and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship.”

JetBlue ordered 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft in 2018 and later expanded the order to 70 aircraft in 2019. The airline has also ordered 85 GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft, including 13 A321LR and 13 A321XLR aircraft. The airline currently operates 16 of the A321neo variant powered by GTF engines, 193 A320ceo family aircraft powered by V2500® engines, and 60 Embraer E190 aircraft equipped with the APS2300E auxiliary power unit (APU).

“The entry into service of the GTF-powered A220 for JetBlue is a milestone moment. Pratt & Whitney and JetBlue have collaborated closely since the airline’s first flight in 2000. We are honored that JetBlue is confident that GTF’s game-changing technology will provide true value for their next-generation fleets,” said Rick Deurloo, chief commercial officer and senior vice president at Pratt & Whitney. “We’re honored to be a part of this momentous milestone and we look forward to supporting JetBlue’s expansion and their commitment to sustainable aviation.” 

The A220, powered exclusively by GTF engines, offers significantly lower operating costs compared to previous generation aircraft. The engines deliver double-digit improvements in fuel and carbon emissions. They also provide a 75% reduction in noise footprint, based on a 75 dB noise contour, and produce NOx emissions 50% below the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) CAEP/6 regulation

 About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney, a unit of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:RTX) is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. To learn more about RTX, visit its website at www.rtx.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in levels of demand in the aerospace industry, in levels of air travel, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production support, performance and realization of the anticipated benefits of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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Pratt & Whitney
+1 (860) 565-9600
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The ‘Airlines: A Path Back to Profitability’ report includes insights from over 60 survey responses and executive interviews with airline commercial, financial, and technology professionals worldwide and is now available for download at Accelya.com/lab.

Here are three takeaways from the report:

Crises – A Catalyst for Change

Covid dealt a brutal blow to the airline industry. However, there is an upside as almost all (96%) of survey participants believe the crisis has created opportunities for positive transformation. Airlines have grasped the need to shift from bureaucratic analysis and departmental silos, which 48% of executives said was their leading pre-Covid innovation impediment and turning to action.

Digital Delivery

As they resume traveling, passengers will have different needs and expectations than they did before the pandemic. For one thing, months of lockdown have produced a new breed of ‘digital ninjas’ who demand better online shopping experiences – and greater flexibility. Adobe estimated that two years of e-commerce growth was compacted into the 2020 holiday season in the US. As such, digital delivery will be central to efforts to return to the black.

Airlines Take Control

Now is the time for airlines to assert themselves and build the retailing experiences they want to deliver to their customers. This is reflected in the finding that today, 68% of airlines are using or intend to use NDC as part of their retailing and distribution strategies.

To find out more, please, visit Accelya.com or download the report here.

Source: Accelya

Pratt & Whitney and Tigerair Taiwan celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first Airbus A320neo aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. The airline placed the initial engine order in 2019 and has a mixed fleet of 15 purchased and leased aircraft.

“We’re excited for Tigerair Taiwan to receive their first GTF-powered Airbus A320neo,” said Rick Deurloo, chief commercial officer at Pratt & Whitney. “Environmental and economic sustainability are key priorities for both companies, and the fuel savings with the GTF engine that will help reduce emissions and lower operating costs to best serve their customers. We look forward to continuing our relationship for years to come.”

Tigerair Taiwan, a low-cost carrier established in 2014 and headquartered in Taiwan, is a subsidiary of China Airlines and currently operates 11 A320ceo aircraft powered by the V2500® engine. The airline believes that Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines will help it become more environmentally sustainable, while also becoming more competitive as a low-cost carrier (LCC).

“We are thrilled to receive our first A320neo and experience those benefits firsthand for years to come,” said Dennis Lai, chief operations officer at Tigerair Taiwan.   

Since entering service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent, to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 50 percent compared to the regulatory standard, and to reduce the noise footprint by 75 percent.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney has the broadest and deepest experience in all forms of aviation, from large commercial aircraft to military, as well as regional, business and general aviation. Celebrating its 95th year in business in 2020, the company is known for its innovative technologies such as the Geared Turbofan commercial aircraft engine and PW800 business jet engine.

Source: Pratt & Whitney

Rolls-Royce and airframer Tecnam are joining forces with Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market, ready for revenue service in 2026. The project expands on the successful research programme between Rolls-Royce and Widerøe on sustainable aviation and the existing partnership between Rolls-Royce and Tecnam on powering the all-electric P-Volt aircraft.

Stein Nilsen, Chief Executive, Widerøe said: “Norway’s extensive network of short take-off and landing airports is ideal for zero emissions technologies. This aircraft shows how quickly new technology can and will be developed, and that we are on track with our ambition of flying with zero emissions around 2025.”

Rob Watson, Director – Rolls-Royce Electrical, said: “Electrification will help us deliver our ambition to enable the markets in which we operate achieve net zero carbon by 2050. This collaboration strengthens our existing relationships with Tecnam and Widerøe as we look to explore what is needed to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market. It also demonstrates Rolls-Royce’s ambitions to be the leading supplier of all-electric and hybrid electric propulsion and power systems across multiple aviation markets.”

The programme will look to cover all elements of developing and delivering an all-electric passenger aircraft that could be used in the Norwegian market from 2026. Due to its topography, Norway makes extensive use of aviation for regional connectivity and has an ambition for all domestic flights to be zero emissions by 2040. Rolls-Royce will bring its expertise in propulsion and power systems, Tecnam will provide aircraft design, manufacturing and certification capabilities. Widerøe’s mission will be to ensure that all competence and requirements of an airline operator are in place for entry into service in 2026.

Andreas Aks, Chief Strategy Officer, Widerøe, added: “We are highly excited to be offered the role as launch operator, but also humble about the challenges of putting the world’s first zero emissions aircraft into service. Our mission is to have all new capabilities, processes and procedures required for a zero emissions operator, designed and approved in parallel with the aircraft being developed and certified.”

Fabio Russo, Chief Project R&D and Product Development, Tecnam, said: “It is incredible to see the interest around the P-Volt, not only coming from regional airlines, but also from smart mobility-based companies. This last year has demonstrated the importance of promoting capillary connections between small communities, while reducing the congestion of the main hubs. The P-Volt, like the P2012 Traveller today, will perfectly fit the scope of this programme. We are honoured and pleased to see the level of enthusiasm Widerøe and our partner Rolls-Royce are dedicating to this project.”

The collaboration offers an opportunity to develop an exciting solution to the commuter aircraft market. Before the pandemic, Widerøe offered around 400 flights per day using a network of 44 airports, where 74% of the flights have distances less than 275 km. The shortest flight durations are between seven and fifteen minutes. Developing all-electric aircraft will enable people to be connected in a sustainable way and will fulfill Wideroe’s ambition to make its first all-electric flight by 2026. The all-electric P-Volt aircraft, which is based on the 11-seat Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft is ideal for the short take-off and landing as well as for routes in the North and the West Coast of Norway.

Rolls-Royce and Widerøe announced a joint research programme in 2019. The aim of the programme was to evaluate and develop electrical aircraft concepts that would fulfil the Norwegian ambition of having the first electrified aircraft in ordinary domestic scheduled flights by 2030 and 80% emission reduction in domestic flights by 2040.

Rolls-Royce also has an existing strategic partnership with Tecnam to develop the modified Tecnam P2010 aircraft with the H3PS^[1] propulsion system, the first parallel hybrid-electric propulsion system for General Aviation started together with Rotax in May 2018.

Source: Rolls-Royce