Photo source: KAYAK
Air New Zealand and Pratt & Whitney have commenced construction on a significant expansion of their joint Christchurch Engine Centre, aiming to enhance maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity for PW1100G engines.
The new extension is said to cover 14,000 square meters (151,000 square feet) and is projected to accommodate up to 140 engine overhauls annually by 2032.
The construction is expected to be finished by the fourth quarter of 2026.
Established in 1948, the Christchurch Engine Centre has been operational for decades. In 2001, Air New Zealand and Pratt & Whitney formed a joint venture focusing initially on JT8D engines, later expanding to IAE International V2500 engines, with over 1,500 units having undergone overhaul.
“The Christchurch Engine Centre has a proven track record of delivering exceptional performance and quality with a highly capable workforce,” Shane Eddy, president of Pratt & Whitney, said.
Eddy emphasised the strategic necessity of this investment in light of anticipated aviation growth in the Asia-Pacific region over the next two decades, reinforcing their partnership with Air New Zealand to expand the geared turbofan MRO network in response to a growing fleet.
The PW1100G engines are used in Air New Zealand’s A320neo family aircraft; however, the airline has faced previous challenges with these engines. These challenges involved powdered metal defects that led to hundreds of PW1100G-powered jets being grounded.