Aircraft Supplier & MRO News

AirGuide Business, July 21, 2008

Pratt & Whitney, United Airlines, Boeing

Pratt & Whitney's Global Material Solutions (GMS) program is "disappointed" launch customer United Airlines has decided to get rid of its fleet of CFM56-powered Boeing 737 Classics, but says Pratt is committed to the CFM56-3 spares market and sees MRO providers as an outlet for Pratt-made parts. Just weeks after FAA granted Pratt & Whitney supplemental type certificates on the last of 19 CFM56-3 life limited parts, United announced plans to retire the 94 737s in its fleet that are powered by the -3, essentially leaving Pratt with two airline customers, Jet2.com in the U.K. and an unidentified Asia-Pacific operator. Matthew Bromberg, VP and general manager of GMS, said Tuesday that the "transactional" nature of the CFM56-3 overhaul market presents an opportunity for Pratt and its parts. 7/15/2008

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce said it had set up a joint venture to serve the fast-expanding Middle East aviation services market. The Rolls-Royce joint venture will offer "On-Wing Care" through Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies as well as a wide range of line maintenance services from boroscoping to engine changes for Rolls-Royce's Trent family operators in the region. 7/15/2008

Saudi Arabian Airlines, GE Aviation, Airbus

Saudi Arabian Airlines ordered 22 new Airbus A320 aircraft to be powered with $300 million worth of GE Aviation CFM56-5B engines. Deliveries start in 2009. 7/15/2008

ST Engineering

Singapore conglomerate ST Engineering said it has signed a series of engine maintenance, repair and overhaul agreements with CFM International. The agreements, which are not expected to affect ST Engineering's earnings in the current financial year, include a USD$1.5 billion, 10 year materials services deal for the CFM56 engine, ST Engineering said in a statement late on Monday. CFM International is the jet engine joint venture between General Electric of the US and France's Safran. 7/15/2008

CFMI

CFM Introduces Seal of Approval for Engines. With FAA having certified Pratt & Whitney-made life limited and other high value parts for the CFM56-3 engine, CFM International is fighting back with what amounts to a "seal of approval" program that it says will enhance the value of CFM engines that run on genuine CFM parts. CFMI launched the TRUEngine designation Sunday in response to demand from appraisers for more accurate information on the configuration and service history of in-service CFM56 engines. 7/14/2008

Goodrich, Continental Airlines

Goodrich has landed an extended landing gear services contract from Continental Airlines that Goodrich says covers virtually all of the Boeing aircraft in Continental's fleet. The contract extension is expected to generate $49 million in revenue over the next five years, says Goodrich, which is the manufacturer of the gear. The extension covers Continental's 737-700s, -800s and -900s, as well as its 767s and 777. Goodrich already was handling the airline's 757-200s and 737 Classics. The MRO work will be done at Goodrich's facility near Miami. Continental operates a fleet of more than 350 Boeing aircraft, according to AirGuideAircraft Fleets. 7/14/2008