Pratt & Whitney will open China’s second MRO shop for its PW1100G-JM GTF engines at MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co. Ltd, a joint between MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines, established in 2001. 

The line will go operational from mid-2021 and is expecting to handle 1,000 shop visits within the next ten years. 

This development comes less than three months after Pratt announced that Ameco, a JV between Air China and Lufthansa, will attain GTF engine MRO capability. Both will eventually cater for China’s two largest GTF operators, Air China and China Southern Airways, as well as covering both ends of the country. 

It will also be Asia’ fifth GTF shop, after Pratt’s Eagle Services Asia (ESA) in Singapore, as well as IHI and MHIAEL in Japan. 

Based on Aviation Week Fleet Data Services, there are at least 250 PW1100G-JM engines currently operating within China. Air China is the largest operator with 70 units, while China Southern has 26.

However, it is the CFM International counterpart, the LEAP-1A that has the largest market share for the A320neo engines, 312 units in service, CZ alone has 86 in its inventory. 

“MTU and Pratt & Whitney’s long-standing relationship is further expanded with the addition of the Zhuhai shop to the GTF MRO network,” said Jaap Beijer, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai president and CEO.

“MTU Aero Engines is a risk and revenue sharing partner in the GTF program and has contributed to the game-changing technology that has pushed the boundaries of aviation. We look forward to leveraging the expertise within the MTU network and supporting GTF customers in China and beyond.” 

MTU Maintenance Zhuhai already attained LEAP engine certifications in 2019. 

MTU Aero Engines has 18% stake in the PW1100G-JM program and is responsible for the high-speed low-pressure turbine, the first four stages of the high-pressure compressor and brush seals. It will be MTU’s first GTF facility outside of Europe after MTU Maintenance Hannover and EME Aero in Poland.