MTU Maintenance Zhuhai is making progress in its growth of facilities, staff and capabilities in China. This week the engine MRO, a joint venture between MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines, broke ground on its second engine facility and inducted its first Pratt & Whitney GTF engine in China.
The new engine facility will be located in the Jinwan district of Zhuhai and focus on PW1100G-JM and V2500 engines. MTU is beginning construction with a 65,000 lb. test cell and says it expects the facility to have an initial capacity of 260 shop visits. It says the facility, which is expected to begin operations in 2024, will enable the quick dispatch of service teams to customers in the region due to its proximity to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Macao.
MTU plans to build a workforce of around 600 staff to meet customer demand at the new Jinwan facility. To help accommodate these plans, it is in the process of planning construction of a training center at its original site in Zhuhai. It says the center will have the capability to train up to 150 students per year from 2023 onwards.
“Through this training center we will be investing in our most important asset, our staff,” says Jaap Beijer, president and CEO, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai. “We will be able to meet our ambitious staff ramp-up needs and guarantee the high quality of education we require.”
The engine MRO is also expanding its capabilities in China. MTU Maintenance Zhuhai just inducted its first Pratt & Whitney GTF engine—a PW1100G-JM—following its move to join the Pratt & Whitney GTF MRO network in December 2020. It is now the first active GTF MRO facility in China.
“The GTF is a young fleet with a long runway of growth ahead of it. To have an active shop in China brings immediate benefit to our customers in the region,” says Joe Sylvestro, vice president aftermarket global operations, Pratt & Whitney. “We are eager for the induction pace to build and for our other GTF MRO network members in China to begin maintenance operations as well.”
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