Kingfisher Airlines' $300 million deal for aircraft engines
Tuesday, 21 November 2006, 18:30 IST
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Washington: India's Kingfisher Airlines has signed a $300 million deal with Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp company, for the purchase of 10 aircraft engines to power its new fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft. Besides an overhaul and repair contract Kingfisher also has an option for another 10 engines. If all options are exercised, Pratt & Whitney will get an additional $200 million, under the contract signed here Monday in the presence of US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. "After a very detailed analysis of all the engine offers for the A330, we decided that Pratt & Whitney gave us the best total solution and met all our technical requirements," said Vijay Mallya, chairman and CEO of Kingfisher Airlines. "Kingfisher has selected Pratt & Whitney to power our fleet of A320/A319s, ATR72s and A330s because of their ability to support our airline's vision to consistently deliver a safe, value-based and enjoyable travel experience to all our guests." The deal includes 10 PW4000-100 installed engines, one spare and an option for an additional 10 engines. Pratt & Whitney was also awarded a long- term exclusive fleet management programme to overhaul and repair Kingfisher's PW4000 engines. Pratt & Whitney and Kingfisher Airlines announced the deal with the signing of a memorandum of understanding earlier this year at the Farnborough International Airshow outside of London. "We are delighted that Kingfisher Airlines has chosen Pratt & Whitney's PW4168A to power its new A330 aircraft," said Todd Kallman, president, Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines. "This contract for new engines and long-term engine service offers Kingfisher the best value, as it leverages Pratt & Whitney's unique OEMRO(tm) portfolio. We're excited to expand our partnership with Kingfisher and we look forward to our continued collaboration." "This agreement is another building block that will strengthen US-India relations, foster greater economic ties and enhance the ability of both companies to compete in the global economy," said US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. The Pratt & Whitney PW4000-100 engine - model number PW4168A - was designed specifically for the Airbus A330 aircraft. It provides exceptional reliability, competitive fuel performance and excellent environmental characteristics. Today more than 2,700 PW4000 family engines are in service with 90 million hours of cumulative service experience. Kingfisher Airlines, one of India's newest and fastest growing airlines, began operations in May 2005 and now has a new fleet of V2500-powered A319, A320, A321 and ATR-72 aircraft. The airline will operate 23 aircraft connecting 21 key business and leisure destinations with more than 160 daily flights across India through its winter schedule. Kingfisher Airline is the only airline in India to have placed orders for five A380s, five A350s, five A340s, and five A330s. Pratt & Whitney has over 17,000 aircraft engines in service with hundreds of airlines throughout the world. Additionally, Pratt & Whitney is a leading partner in two joint venture companies that manufacture commercial aircraft engines: International Aero Engines, which makes the V2500 for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, and the Engine Alliance, whose GP7200 engine is FAR 33 certified on the new Airbus A380.
Source: IANS
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