Pratt & Whitney has announced that Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) has inducted its first Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine.
In 2022, AFI KLM E&M joined the Pratt & Whitney GTF MRO network and gained the capability to disassemble, assemble, and test PW1500G model engines, which are used in the Airbus A220 family.
In 2021, Air France selected 60 A220-300 aircraft with an option of adding up to 60 more, which are powered exclusively by GTF engines. The airline currently operates 24 of these aircraft, and they have placed an order for an additional 37.
Anne Brachet, executive vice president at AFI KLM E&M, said: "With the induction of our first GTF engine, we're growing our capabilities with today's most advanced technologies.
"Our ability to overhaul geared turbofan engines strengthens our expertise in the world's most innovative architectures, so we're ready to meet the needs of current and future operators – many of them right here in Europe."
The GTF MRO network has more than doubled in size over the last four years, and AFI KLM E&M marks the 13th active location.
AFI KLM E&M is one of several providers in Europe supporting GTF MRO work and will become the third facility in the region to provide full disassembly, assembly and test capability for the PW1500G engine.
Marc Meredith, vice president of GTF Engine Aftermarket at Pratt & Whitney, said: "Pratt & Whitney has announced two facility expansions and three partner shop activations across our network in the first half of this year alone.
"With the fleet growing at such a rapid pace, it is more critical than ever to ensure that our network has world-class MRO providers like AFI KLM E&M to provide top-notch services in close proximity to our customers."
The GTF MRO network is comprised of the industry's leading MRO companies. There are currently 13 active GTF MRO engine centres worldwide with an additional six expected to be online by 2025.
The network is part of Pratt & Whitney EngineWise® solutions, which provide engine operators with a variety of aftermarket services resulting in long-term, sustainable value.
