Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp, has announced that GoAir has signed an agreement selecting the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine for the airline's order of 72 A320neo family aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney will also provide GoAir with a long-term EngineWise Comprehensive service agreement, said a statement from the company.

The aircraft are expected to begin delivery in 2021, it said.

Jeh Wadia, managing director, GoAir, said: “We are pleased to partner with Pratt & Whitney once again for our next batch of 72 Airbus A320neo aircraft.”

“We believe that the Pratt & Whitney GTF fuel-efficient engines are the best-in-class and most suited for our network and operations.  With its revolutionary geared fan technology the GTF engines will allow GoAir to fulfil its commitment towards carbon emissions,” Wadia added.

“These benefits result in quieter communities, quieter flights and cleaner air. Besides, the Pratt & Whitney GTF engines will permit GoAir to continue its aggressive growth strategy and at the same time maintain our cost advantage,” Wadia he added.

The Mumbai, India-based airline currently operates a fleet of 38 GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft.

These are part of the initial GoAir order of 72 GTF-powered A320neo aircraft announced in 2012. The additional aircraft offer GoAir the opportunity to add domestic and international routes and expand capacity to provide enhanced connectivity in the region.

Rick Deurloo, chief customer officer and senior vice president, Customers at Pratt & Whitney, said: “India is a fast-developing and critically important region, and GoAir has been instrumental in contributing to this growth.”

“Our company and GoAir share a close relationship going back to 2012, one that we are proud to grow and further strengthen with the expansion of their fleet powered by the GTF engine,” he said.

“The fuel and environmental efficiencies of the GTF engines are well-matched to the needs of GoAir, and we are honoured to continue our collaboration together,” he added.

Since entering into service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 per cent, to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 50 per cent compared to the regulatory standard, and to reduce the noise footprint by 75 per cent, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service