P&W and Air New Zealand announce $150m engine centre expansion
Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand have officially broken ground on a US$150 million, 14,000-square-metre expansion of the Christchurch Engine Centre.
This expansion will introduce maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines in New Zealand, with an annual capacity for up to 140 GTF engine overhauls anticipated by 2032.
Construction on the expanded facility begins this month, and the first GTF engine overhaul is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Originally established by Air New Zealand in 1948, the Christchurch Engine Centre became a joint venture with Pratt & Whitney in 2001, initially focusing on MRO services for JT8D and later V2500 engines.
Currently, the centre employs over 400 people and has completed over 1,500 overhauls of 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.”
Air New Zealand Chair Dame Therese Walsh said the expansion will allow the airline to service its V2500 engines powering the A321ceo aircraft and PW1100G-JM GTF engines on the A320/A321neo aircraft.
“The introduction of new GTF repair capability will be completed in 2026, and the Christchurch Engine Centre will maintain, repair or overhaul both the V2500 and PW1100G-JM engines for many years to come,” said Walsh.
“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.”
