Pratt & Whitney has announced that it will expand its global network of providers that maintain the Pratt & Whitney GTF? engine to includeÿ MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co. Ltd.. A joint venture between MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airline Company Limited, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai will provide engine maintenance for PW1100G-JM engines for the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft. The Zhuhai facility will be MTU's third facility to serve engines with full disassembly, assembly and test capability in the GTF MRO network.

"We, along with our colleagues at International Aero Engines, LLC, are excited to expand our world-class global MRO network by continuing to add capacity to service our growing GTF fleet," said Dave Emmerling, vice president, Commercial Aftermarket at Pratt & Whitney. "With MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, we welcome a highly experienced maintenance provider who will provide our customers in region with outstanding service and support."

"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, President and CEO of MTU Maintenance Zhuhai. "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 will become the second facility in China and fifth in Asia supporting GTF MRO work, alongside AMECO in China, Pratt & Whitney's Eagle Services Asia (ESA) in Singapore, as well as IHI and MHIAEL in Japan. China is home to one of the largest GTF fleets, powering 11 airlines with 140 A320neo family aircraft in operation. Pratt & Whitney has a long history in China, dating back more than 90 years.

"We have a strong, storied history with MTU and China Southern," said Rick Deurloo, chief commercial officer at Pratt & Whitney. "Pratt & Whitney has powered China Southern for many years and they were the first mainland Chinese airline to take delivery of an Airbus A320neo aircraft powered by the game-changing GTF engine. We look forward to continuing to support GTF customers in China."