Singapore, February 16, 2016 . The Engine Alliance (EA) has named Pratt & Whitney’s Eagle Services Asia Pte Ltd (“ESA”) as a center of excellence for GP7200 low pressure compressor (LPC) overhauls. ESA will support Airbus A380 operators around the globe with the first shop visits scheduled for LPC performance restoration.
“With ESA, we continue to build on the strengths of our member companies,” said Dean Athans, president of the Engine Alliance. “Building the best engine for the A380 is just the start. We’re committed to service and support that are both cost-effective and world-class.”
As a center of excellence, ESA will be responsible for disassembly, assembly and balancing of the LPC, which involves maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) for the five-stage low-pressure compressor, fan hub, drum, blades and stator assembly. ESA already performs heavy maintenance on GE90 and PW4000 engines, the two designs which formed the foundation of the GP7200 engine.
“We are excited to offer maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the GP7200 engine LPC,” said Kevin Kirkpatrick, executive director, Pratt & Whitney Aftermarket Operations, Singapore & Taiwan and managing director, ESA. “The GP7200 and PW4000 engines’ LPC modules have a lot in common. That’s why this work is a natural fit for us. This will make for timely, cost-effective and world-class MRO services.”
Airlines operating GP7200 engines have enjoyed the merits of the quietest, most reliable and most fuel-efficient powerplant for the A380. The GP7200 engine has sustained an average of 99.9 percent departure reliability since entry into service. Additionally, customers have benefitted from a fuel savings advantage of up to $1 million per aircraft per year.
The EA-powered A380 entered service in August 2008. Currently 104 EA-powered A380s are in operation around the globe: 73 with Emirates, 10 with Air France, 10 with Korean Air, six with Qatar Airways and five with Etihad Airways. The EA-powered A380 fleet is supported by the world’s largest network, with field service engineers available in more than 100 cities around the globe.
The Engine Alliance is a 50-50 joint venture of GE (NYSE:GE) and Pratt & Whitney (P&W), a unit of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX). Revenue-sharing partners include MTU Aero Engines of Germany, Snecma (SAFRAN) of France and Techspace Aero (SAFRAN) of Belgium.
The GP7200 engine draws from the success of the GE90 and PW4000 engine programs, which together total more than 80 million engine hours and more than 13 million engine cycles in service. With the ability to incorporate field experience and newly proven technologies from GE and P&W, the Engine Alliance is continuously looking at ways to enhance the GP7200 engine.
