Global aerospace giant Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand have announced a US$150 million, 14,000 square metre expansion of its Christchurch Engine Centre.

The expansion will add maintenance, repair and overhaul 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 begins this month, 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 maintenance, repair and overhaul of JT8D then V2500 engines. Today, the Christchurch Engine Centre employs more than 400 highly skilled staff and has overhauled more than 1,500 IAE International Aero Engines AG V2500 engines.

“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 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.”

The GTF engine is the most fuel-efficient and sustainable engine for single aisle aircraft available today. GTF engines lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions up to 20% relative to previous generation aircraft and have a 75% smaller noise footprint. Around the world, GTF engines have saved airlines 2 billion gallons of fuel and 20 million metric tons of carbon emissions since entry into service in 2016.