COLUMBUS, Ga., Feb. 17, 2009 – Pratt & Whitney’s Columbus Engine Center has become the first in the world to retrofit an International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A5 engine to the V2500 SelectOne™ engine.  Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Benefits of the retrofit include up to an additional one percent lower fuel burn, and corresponding lower CO2 emissions, as well as noise reduction and lower overall operating costs. The V2500-A5 engine, registration V10301, which belongs to US Airways, has been in service since Feb. 16, 1998.  It has more than 38,000 hours on wing with nearly 15,000 cycles. 

“This retrofit is important because it shows airlines that it is possible to get even greater performance from one of their existing assets,” said Tom Mayes, vice president, Global Engine Centers, Pratt & Whitney.  “Providing this service results in up to an additional one percent fuel burn saving that can go right to the bottom line for airlines, at a time when the aviation environment is especially challenging, is rewarding.  We take pride in helping our customers lower their operating costs.”

The Columbus Engine Center opened in 1984 and has capabilities to service both V2500-A1 and -A5 engines. The 215,000 sq. ft -facility can overhaul up to 300 engines per year.  The center offers a variety of services including heavy maintenance, hot section refurbishment, module repair, inspection, performance enhancements and engine testing.

IAE is a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, the Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines.  More than 1,600 V2500-powered aircraft have been delivered and the worldwide fleet has accumulated over 70 million flying hours.