IndiGo selects Pratt & Whitney PW1100G Geared Turbo Fan for its massive Airbus A320neo order

March 31, 2011 3 Comments 517 Views

Computer visualisation IndiGo Airbus A320neo Pratt and Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engineIndian low cost carrier IndiGo, which signed a memorandum of understanding on January 11, 2011, for the largest ever jet aircraft order in aviation history of 180 Airbus A320 including 150 A320neo, has selected the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G Geared Turbo Fan (GTF) engine to power its A320neo fleet. In January, IndiGo had not announced an engine choice.

Pratt & Whitney is part of International Aero Engines a joint venture which makes the V2500 engines which currently powers the IndiGo A320 fleet. IndiGo was the launch customer of the V2500 SelectOne, and the selection of the GTF appears to be a natural extension of the existing relationship. In fact, quoting from our story in January

A choice of engine manufacturer for the A320neo has not yet been announced, though the airframer Airbus did release a computer rendition of an IndiGo liveried A320neo fitted with the Pratt and Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engine.

It is a major coup for the Connecticut based engine maker, who scored a win earlier this year when leasing major ILFC decided to use the PW1100G for at least 60 of its 100 A320neo and A321neo order. The decision by IndiGo is a result of a fierce competition against CFM International’s Leap-X.

The decision represents 300 firm PW1100G engines with options for additional engines. In addition, IndiGo has also chosen Pratt & Whitney to provide maintenance for these PurePower engines.

The first model of the PurePower GTF engines, the PW1524G which will power the Bombardier C Series aircraft expected to fly in 2012, is already undergoing ground testing in North America.

The PW1000G has also been selected to power the MRJ70 and MRJ90 Mitsubishi Regional Jet and the 150-seat Irkut MS-21.

There is still some doubts whether IndiGo will be the launch customer of the A320neo somewhere in 2016.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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