Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand have held a groundbreaking ceremony for a US$150 million, 14,000 sqm expansion of its Christchurch Engine Centre.
The expansion will add MRO capabilities for the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine in New Zealand, with capacity for up to 140 GTF engine overhauls planned annually by 2032.
Construction of the facility expansion will soon begin and the first GTF engine overhaul is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Christchurch Engine Centre was founded in 1948 by Air New Zealand. In 2001, the airline and Pratt & Whitney partnered to develop the joint venture, focusing on the MRO of JT8D and then V2500 engines.
More than 400 highly skilled staff are now employed at the Christchurch Engine Centre which has overhauled more than 1,500 IAE International Aero Engines AG V2500 engines.
Christopher Luxon, prime minister of New Zealand, said: “This project between Air New Zealand and global aviation leader Pratt & Whitney marks a significant investment to New Zealand’s economy, helps expand our aviation industrial capability, and adds 200 high-value jobs into the Canterbury region.”
Shane Eddy, president of Pratt & Whitney, said: “The Christchurch Engine Centre has a proven track record of delivering exceptional performance and quality with a highly capable workforce. With the Asia-Pacific region projected to experience the highest aviation growth globally over the next 20 years, it is a strategic imperative for us to invest here and partner with Air New Zealand as we continue to expand the GTF MRO network in support of the growing fleet.”
Air New Zealand chair Dame Therese Walsh, said: “As our fleet of Airbus aircraft continues to grow, with another four expected to arrive over the next three years, the importance of this facility to our airline also grows allowing us to continue to deliver on our purpose of connecting Kiwis with each other and the world.”
The Christchurch Engine Centre is committed to Pratt & Whitney’s sustainability vision to protect the environment along with the health and safety of its employees and the community around it. The expansion of the facility will continue the journey of this commitment as well as bring in innovations and new initiatives for a greener business and greener world.
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Above photo: L-R – Graham Jack, general manager, Christchurch Engine Centre; Phil Mauger, Christchurch mayor; Shane Eddy, president, Pratt & Whitney; Rt. Honorable Christopher Luxon, New Zealand prime minister; Dame Therese Walsh, Air New Zealand chair; Justin Watson, chief executive, Christchurch International Airport Limited; Lynne Te Aika, Ngāi Tūāhuriri.
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