Friday, November 8, 2024 Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX, and Air New Zealand marked a milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for a major US$150 million, 14,000-square-meter expansion of the Christchurch Engine Centre. This expansion will introduce advanced maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the Pratt & Whitney GTFTM engine in New Zealand, aiming to achieve up to 140 GTF engine overhauls annually by 2032. Construction on the expanded facility begins this month, with the first GTF engine overhaul expected by the fourth quarter of 2026.
Established in 1948 by Air New Zealand, the Christchurch Engine Centre evolved into a joint venture with Pratt & Whitney in 2001, originally focused on JT8D and later V2500 engines. Currently, the center employs over 400 skilled professionals and has successfully overhauled more than 1,500 IAE International Aero Engines AG V2500 engines. “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,” said Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
“The Christchurch Engine Centre has a proven track record of delivering exceptional performance and quality with a highly capable workforce,” said Shane Eddy, president, Pratt & Whitney. “With the Asia-Pacific region projected to experience the highest aviation growth globally ov.
