LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC, June 17, 2022 – Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, and Deutsche Aircraft, announced today that the PW127XT-S engine has been selected to power the D328eco™ regional turboprop. The engine will be another model in the XT series which sets a new benchmark in regional aviation, delivering a significant improvement in operating costs and sustainability. The PW127XT-S will be developed according to the D328eco timeline.

“We have worked closely with the D328eco team over a number of years to develop the best engine option for the aircraft,” said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “The PW127XT-S provides airlines 40% more time on wing, a 20% reduction in maintenance costs with only two scheduled events over 10 years, and a 3% improvement in specific fuel consumption. We support Deutsche Aircraft’s vision of building a green aviation company and we’re confident that the PW127XT-S is the ideal match for the D328eco.”

“In addition to the engine selection announced today, Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada will collaborate on novel propulsion technologies for next generation, climate friendly, highly efficient regional aircraft,” said Dave Jackson, managing director, Deutsche Aircraft. “Turboprop technology remains the most efficient and ecofriendly form of regional air transport available in the world. Our two companies recently agreed to cooperate on enabling the PW127XT-S engine powering the D328eco to run on a 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) including hydrogen-based Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuel.”

In fact, modern regional turboprops consume 40% less fuel and emit 40% less CO2 emissions than most in-service regional jets on flights up to 400 nautical miles. Both companies are convinced of the need to further invest in this segment to continue to improve efficiency and reduce the impact on the environment. Pratt & Whitney Canada and Deutsche Aircraft agreed to continue working together to jointly develop a technology roadmap for implementation, test, and verification of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s innovative propulsion technology, within the D328eco program. Specifically, the roadmap will focus on the capability to operate the two most promising net zero / zero CO2 fuels: PtL and hydrogen, respectively. The parties will assess the impact of these fuels and related technologies and operations to derive the requirements and solutions for the application.

Added Jackson: “We seek not only to achieve the maximum CO2 emissions reduction possible, but also look for real operative propulsion efficiency improvements compared to today’s technology. This would mean a reduction in the order of 15-25% block energy on a typical regional mission.”

Concluded Della Posta: “It is key that the major airframe and engine OEMs set out ambitious yet realistic timelines and capabilities to use novel propulsion technologies in combination with de-carbonized fuel capabilities. Pratt & Whitney Canada is committed to continuous improvements in the efficiency and sustainability of its products and services, for customers in all market segments.”

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

New self-bag drop solution significantly speeds time passengers need to check bags.

SITA today announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Alstef Group, an established baggage handling specialist, to launch Swift Drop, a new self-bag drop solution that significantly speeds up the experience of checking your own bag.

Mexico City’s brand new Felipe Ángeles International Airport, opened in late March, has become the first airport globally to install 20 Swift Drop units.

The fast, intuitive interface means passengers can quickly check their bags, avoiding long queues at traditional check-in points. This will give passengers more time to spend airside, providing a boost to airports’ retail revenues. Passengers simply print their own bag tags without need for assistance and load their baggage directly onto the accessible conveyor.

Part of SITA’s awarding-winning Smart Path passenger processing portfolio, Swift Drop is comprised of SITA’s TS6 Kiosk and Alstef Group’s fully integrated bag processing solution. For airports and airlines, Swift Drop dramatically improves baggage handling from the minute a bag is put on the conveyor belt, identifying overweight and oversized bags in seconds. Advanced camera tag-reading technology ensures baggage will also be processed faster, with an average first-time tag read rate of 95%.

Drew Griffiths, Head of SITA AT AIRPORTS, said: “In airports globally, our Smart Path passenger solution has delivered faster, automated passenger experiences. The partnership with Alstef Group – leveraging their significant baggage handling portfolio – enriches our end-to-end offering with a fast, convenient, and reliable self-bag drop solution. This solution has the added benefit of being easily biometrically enabled.”

Philippe Hamon, Sales Director, Airport Solutions, Alstef Group, said: “Taking the stress out of baggage is fundamental to any passenger’s journey. Our baggage processing solutions have been successfully implemented in hundreds of airports globally to do exactly that. It is therefore pleasing that we can extend these benefits to the whole passenger journey through our partnership with SITA.”

SITA’s excellence in biometric technology employed to shape the passenger journey through Skyports vertiports.

Skyports, a best-in-class owner and operator of vertiport infrastructure for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry, and SITA, an IT provider for the air transport industry, announced today a partnership that will see SITA provide its digital solutions at Skyports vertiport locations.

SITA technology will first be implemented at the Skyports Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed in Paris, planned for completion in September 2022 to demonstrate the full passenger journey, from arrival at the vertiport terminal to eVTOL aircraft departure. The partnership aims to highlight the ease with which passengers will be able to navigate the AAM ecosystem.

SITA will apply its expertise in airport technology to the emerging AAM industry to develop bespoke biometric and vertiport technology in line with Skyports’ vision for the passenger experience. The technology being developed through the partnership will be a fundamental component of the future passenger journey through a vertiport. It will demonstrate for the first time how customers will interact with the ecosystem.

Passenger autonomy, ease, and convenience are central to the success of the industry and the widespread adoption of AAM. Through the integration of SITA’s biometric solution Smart Path, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft passengers traveling with Skyports will experience a seamless, technology-driven experience at all stages throughout the journey.

Passengers will be able to book and reserve flights on eVTOL aircraft via a mobile app powered by SITA’s biometric capabilities. Upon arrival at the Skyports vertiport, SITA face pods will be used to identify and verify passengers.

Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said: “Advanced Air Mobility has presented an opportunity to reimagine the entire travel experience, from the vehicles we use and energy sources we rely on, right down to the way passengers book and check-in to flights. We are partnering with SITA to move into this next crucial stage in the planning and development of the AAM industry – defining the experience for end-users. Everything we do at Skyports is underpinned by the belief that there is a faster, smarter, more streamlined way to travel. Our work with SITA will demonstrate how that translates to the passenger journey.”

AAM aircraft will provide a cost-effective and quicker alternative to traditional rail or land transport links. Walker added: “However, to make AAM work, there needs to be a demonstrable benefit to the end-user. Hence the passenger experience is fundamental to our success.”

Much of the magic in streamlining the passenger journey occurs behind the scenes. SITA will provide an automated scheduling solution to support Skyports’ airside operations. So, once a passenger requests a booking, a flight slot will automatically be secured at both departure and destination, ensuring the aircraft is operationally ready and waiting when the passenger arrives. It will also ensure that all the resources needed to support that flight are in place to ensure an on-time departure.

Sergio Colella, President of Europe at SITA, said: “With Skyports, we have the potential to use existing airport technology to totally redesign the passenger journey, with a light-touch process using just your mobile or facial biometric to complete the various steps in the journey. Together we will also work with existing airports to support Advanced Air Mobility solutions in the future.”

Skyports will, in the coming months, begin passenger experience trials at its Cergy-Pontoise vertiport testbed facility, Europe’s first operational testing site for AAM, which is being developed in partnership with Groupe ADP. The implementation of SITA’s innovative technology will be a focal point of the testing.

SITA WorldTracer^® Lost and Found Property reduces the cost and time to trace missing property.

SITA has signed an exclusive agreement with UKi Media & Events to trace and repatriate lost items at this year’s Passenger Terminal Expo, the world’s biggest airport exhibition being held in Paris from 15-17 June.

Using SITA WorldTracer^® Lost and Found Property, attendees will be able to use their mobile device to register any missing items, which are automatically matched with found items, dramatically reducing the time and cost of repatriating lost items. Every year more than 10,000 people from 130 countries visit the exhibition, with hundreds of personal items being left behind or lost.

SITA WorldTracer Lost and Found Property was launched in 2021 to solve a million-dollar headache for airlines: how to quickly return items left behind on aircraft or in airports to their owners. Every year passengers leave millions of items – including phones, wallets and bags – on planes and in airports, costing the industry millions of dollars in repatriation costs.

The benefits of the solution have now been recognized by security companies, airports and event organizers who face a similar challenge. It can cost up to $95USD to manage and repatriate a lost item, including registration, handling inquiries and customer calls, storage and postage. Leveraging SITA’s WorldTracer solution, Lost and Found Property cuts the cost of repatriating lost items by 75%. The solution also dramatically speeds up the time taken to find and return found items, with 60% of these items returned within the first 48 hours.

Tony Robinson, CEO and Company Founder, UKi Media & Events, said: “As one of our largest exhibitions, Passenger Terminal Expo sees thousands of people streaming through its doors each year. With such a large number of attendees, it is inevitable that personal items will be left behind or misplaced. Managing this challenge is both expensive and time-consuming. With SITA we know that we can streamline the process and focus on delivering a great event.”

Using computer vision, natural language processing and automated translation, WorldTracer Lost and Found Property searches a global database of images and descriptions to match the found item to a missing item report. The solution uses image recognition to identify details such as brand, material, and color of the found item. It is also recognizes similar words in the description to make a definitive match.

Drew Griffiths, Head of SITA AT AIRPORTS, said: “For more than 30 years, airlines have used WorldTracer to trace mishandled baggage. Now, leveraging new technologies, we have been able to expand the use of WorldTracer to lost property and to other sectors in the travel and tourism industry.”

About WorldTracer

WorldTracer^® Lost and Found Property is the latest module to SITA’s WorldTracer service which is used by more than 500 customers in 2,200 airports worldwide to trace mishandled baggage. Being multi-language and pay-as-you-go with the option for airlines to recover their handling costs from the passenger, the new Lost and Found Property is as easy to use for passengers as it is for airlines, airports and ground handlers.

SITA released the 2022 SITA Baggage IT Insights report.

The air transport industry recovery from the pandemic is well underway and passengers are returning to the skies in their numbers. At the same time airlines, ground handlers, and airports have downsized to maintain viability during the pandemic, which has impacted resources and expertise dedicated to baggage management. In short, the industry has had to do more with less.

This year’s report explores the challenges brought on by COVID-19 and the innovative ways the industry is addressing them. As in previous years, we have also gathered insight on baggage initiatives and operations from our customers and relevant industry associations.

Download the report to learn more about how the industry has accelerated digitalization projects and opportunities to reimagine ways of handling passengers and their baggage.

Download Here

Pratt & Whitney today named Rick Deurloo president of its Commercial Engines business. In this position, Rick will retain his current responsibilities as senior vice president and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for Pratt & Whitney while assuming overall leadership of the Commercial Engines business from Carroll Lane, who has elected to leave the company for another leadership opportunity. Deurloo will assume this expanded role effective immediately and will continue to report to Pratt & Whitney President Shane Eddy.

“Pratt & Whitney’s commercial engines business is well positioned for long-term success thanks to its technology and product offerings across a strong portfolio of major platforms such as the GTF, V2500 and mature engines,” said Pratt & Whitney President Shane Eddy. “That momentum will continue and grow with Rick, who brings a wealth of experience and a deep knowledge of our commercial customers to this expanded role. I’m confident the commercial business will continue to deliver on our customers’ high expectations under Rick’s leadership.”

Deurloo joined the former United Technologies Corporation in 1998 and has more than 20 years of experience in management and sales in the global aerospace industry. Prior to his role as senior vice president and CCO, where he was responsible for leading and directing all Sales, Marketing and Customer Support worldwide for Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines and International Aero Engines (IAE), Deurloo held other senior leadership positions including regional vice president of sales for the Americas.

Lane has held leadership roles with the former United Technologies Corporation and Pratt & Whitney for more than nine years, including president of the Commercial Engines business for the past two and a half years, where he led the organization through the pandemic as well as the realignment of the Commercial Engines business.

“We thank Carroll for his leadership in Commercial Engines, and for his decade of distinguished service at Pratt & Whitney and the former United Technologies Corporation,” Eddy said.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units and a division of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX). 

Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, has launched a new video series about the PT6E-67XP to help customers fully benefit from the PT6E-67XP engine experience, including digital connectivity, built-in intelligence and powerful diagnostic/prognostic capabilities.

“This video series will help customers new to the PT6E-67XP engine take full advantage of its state-of-the-art technology,” said Nicholas Kanellias, Vice President, General Aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada. Along with the Data Collection Transmission Unit (DCTU) app, that is now available for download on the Apple iOS App Store, these videos are examples of our commitment to meeting customers’ needs with innovative customer service solutions that help optimize management of their engine assets.”

The PT6E-67XP engine powers the Pilatus PC-12 NGX aircraft which entered service in 2020. The three videos showcase different aspects of the PT6E-67XP engine user experience enjoyed by Pilatus PC-12 NGX pilot-owners, directors of maintenance and technicians.

Simplifying the Flying Experience with Intuitive Controls
The launch engine in Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PT6 E-Series™ family, now in service worldwide, the PT6E-67XP features a dual-channel integrated electronic propeller and engine control system — the first of its kind in the general aviation turboprop market.

The result is a more intuitive way of flying that reduces pilot workload. The first video demonstrates how the digitally enabled single lever simplifies engine operation and allows for true precision-controlled auto-throttle.

View the video on the flying experience here.

Supporting Troubleshooting with World-Class Service
The PT6E-67XP is digitally connected through its Data Collection and Transmission Unit (DCTU), which wirelessly transmits full-flight engine data shortly after landing and shutdown. The data is reviewed and analyzed by dedicated experts of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Proactive Services* team, who will then contact the director of maintenance directly to provide updates and, if needed, recommend preventive actions such as proactively swapping out parts.

View the video on troubleshooting support here.

Facilitating Maintenance with Digital Connectivity
Now available for download on the Apple iOS App Store, the DCTU app was developed to communicate with DCTU hardware on PT6 E-Series™ engines using wireless connectivity for the purpose of performing maintenance actions.

Primarily used by technicians, the DCTU app makes it easy to view a host of parameters, events, exceedances and faults, retrieve diagnostics data, monitor the engine’s health status, perform live diagnostics and test transmissions or change engine modules using barcode scanning, among other actions.

View the video on digital connectivity here.

PT6E-67XP operators are also supported by Pratt & Whitney Canada-owned and designated service facilities around the world, field support representatives on six continents, a 24/7 Customer First Centre that offers rapid assistance and the most advanced diagnostic capabilities for the general aviation market.

*Proactive Services offered through the Eagle Service™ plan (ESP™) Platinum maintenance program for the PT6E-67XP Engine.

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. 

Carbon Offset Service now available for all engines enrolled in a Pratt & Whitney Canada maintenance program

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced today that European fractional owner JetFly has signed up its entire fleet of PT6A and PT6 E-Series™ engine-powered Pilatus aircraft that are enrolled in the Eagle Service™ Plan (ESP™) maintenance program to the company’s Carbon Offset Service. The service enables operators to contribute to greater environmental sustainability by offsetting the carbon footprint of their aircraft in a simple, cost-effective manner.

“JetFly’s decision to register these engines in our Carbon Offset Service underscores the importance of expanding to our general aviation customer base, the largest market segment for the company,” said Irene Makris, vice president, Customer Service, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “Our carbon offset service is a transparent, flexible way for customers to offset the carbon footprint of their aircraft. It is now available for all business jets, helicopters, regional and general aviation turboprop aircraft enrolled in an Eagle Service™ Plan (ESP™) or Fleet Management™ Program (FMP™) maintenance program.”

P&WC’s Carbon Offset Service estimates and compensates the aircraft’s emissions by sourcing high quality carbon offset credits from South Pole, a globally recognized provider of environmentally sustainable solutions.  The Carbon Offset Service supports initiatives that  benefit the environment and local communities by creating economic opportunities, such as clean water access, renewable energy and forest conservation projects.

“Environmental responsibility is important for JetFly and for our customers. We view the Carbon Offset Service as a simple, elegant means of compensating the emissions of our flights,” said Cédric Lescop, chief executive officer, JetFly. “It also fits within our sustainability goals and this is one of the reasons why we also fly PT6A and PT6 E-Series powered aircraft – they are reliable and fuel efficient engines. We are also strong proponents of the ESP program, which allows us to accurately plan and manage our maintenance costs, while achieving greater sustainability.”

“Pratt & Whitney has a long-standing commitment to offering environmentally responsible products and solutions to its customers,” said Makris. “We are leading a number of initiatives on the sustainability front, from being one of the first companies to certify its engines for use with sustainable aviation fuels to finding ways to minimize the impact of our operations and engines on the environment throughout their entire lifecycle.”

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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 Canada (P&WC), a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced today it has officially expanded the portfolio of its popular P&WCSMART™ maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) solutions with the launch of a new offering for its business jet engines. The expansion is part of the company’s ongoing effort to provide flexible, cost-effective solutions for major engine maintenance, which support the full engine lifecycle, with flat-rate overhaul options, overhaul alternatives and more. The new P&WCSMART solution is a flat-rate “zero time since overhaul” (zero-TSO) engine exchange for PW615F-A engines that power Cessna Mustang jets.

“This is the first time we have extended our suite of P&WCSMART solutions to customers of our turbofan engines,” said Irene Makris, vice president, Customer Service, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “P&WCSMART solutions provide competitive flat rates and capped costs for major engine maintenance, eliminating price variables and uncertainty. The solutions continue to attract new and repeat customers by delivering the best value in the industry using genuine engine-OEM parts and world-class service.”

The P&WCSMART Flat Rate Zero-TSO Engine Exchange for PW615F-A Engines
The new P&WCSMART offering enables customers to exchange their existing PW615F-A engine with a freshly overhauled PW615F-A engine for a very attractive price. With this option, customers avoid having to rent an engine and the corresponding removal and installation. This reduces downtime at the shop to just a few days – to install the 0-TSO exchange engine.

“We develop our P&WCSMART maintenance solutions through ongoing dialogue with operators,” said Makris. “These solutions allow us to rapidly respond to customers by delivering bottom-line value and options at every stage of the engine lifecycle.”

The P&WCSMART portfolio launched in 2014 and, along with its new solution for business jet engines, it has expanded to more than 30 different offerings for PT6A and P&WC-powered helicopters and regional aircraft.

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. 

LONGUEUIL, Quebec, May 19, 2022 – Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, today announced that H55 S.A. has been selected to supply battery systems for P&WC’s regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator program. The development of the battery component designs and associated electrical control systems will also be supported by the National Research Council Canada (NRC) and the Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI).

“We’re delighted to draw from H55’s technology in the field of aircraft battery systems, and collaborate with NRC and IVI on optimizing the design for our hybrid-electric flight demonstrator program,” said Jean Thomassin, executive director new products and services, P&WC. “Hybrid-electric technology holds significant potential to boost the efficiency of next generation aircraft propulsion systems, allowing us to set new standards for sustainability for regional and commuter aircraft.”

The participation of H55 follows P&WC’s July 2021 announcement of its plans to demonstrate hybrid-electric propulsion technology, through a CAD$163 million investment, supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec.  Working with Raytheon Technologies sister company Collins Aerospace, and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, P&WC is targeting a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and commensurate reduction in CO₂ emissions, compared to today’s most advanced turboprop engines for regional aircraft. Collins Aerospace will provide the 1 megawatt electric motor for the hybrid-electric propulsion system.

“Our goal has always been to address regional commuter transportation and with P&WC, there is a perfect fit whereby our core technologies complement each other,” said André Borschberg, co-founder and executive chairman, H55.  “Both companies share the same vision as to how hybrid-electric propulsion can offer a range of environmental and economic benefits. Having been selected by P&WC is an important validation that our experience is valued by a reputable industry player. We are excited to be working in Quebec with P&WC and several other industry and research collaborators in bringing our battery pack to the hybrid-electric demonstrator program.”

As the technological spin-off of Solar Impulse, the first electric airplane to fly around the world, the mission of H55 is to make aviation clean, safe, and affordable. The Swiss-based company’s core competencies lie in developing propulsion and energy storage solutions which are modular, lightweight, and safe. After having worked and flown four electric aircraft, H55 is well placed to act as a key enabler for electrified regional commuter transportation.

As Canada’s largest federal research and development organization, the NRC has a century-long history and track record of contributing to the development of science and innovation in Canada. The NRC’s contributions will include supporting the development of the high voltage battery sub-systems and their related elements. IVI will also support development work to optimize the design and integration of the battery and control systems on the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 experimental aircraft. Ground testing of the propulsion technology will begin in 2022, towards a flight demonstration in 2024.

“We are delighted to support this project as part of our mission to help companies develop and integrate innovative vehicle technologies,” said François Adam, general manager, IVI. “By enabling future aircraft to achieve greater efficiency and lower emissions, projects like this will contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation industry.”

Hybrid-electric propulsion technology is a core element of Pratt & Whitney’s strategy for continually advancing the efficiency of aircraft propulsion systems, in support of the industry-wide goal of achieving net zero CO₂ emissions for aviation by 2050. The company is also developing technologies to support greater use of cleaner, alternative fuels, including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and hydrogen, each of which will benefit from the increased efficiencies enabled by hybrid-electric propulsion systems.

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.