Pratt & Whitney has refuted retrenchment rumours at its Singapore-based joint venture with Singapore Airlines’ engineering arm, as it reiterated its commitment to its capabilities in the city-state.
The engine maker responded to Singapore media reports that around 140 Eagle Services Asia (ESA) staff members were axed, saying that discussions with staff unions were still ongoing, in light of “customer-driven volume decline”.
“No employee has been confirmed as retrenched as yet,” P&W, which owns 51% of ESA, states.
Local media reports state that the affected employees were told to leave the workplace immediately after a 22 July meeting, and were reportedly barred from re-entering the ESA premises.
However, ESA told local broadsheet The Straits Times on 28 July that employees whose jobs were at risk have been allowed to take paid leave, pending the outcome of negotiations. It also denied allegations that affected employees were barred from entering ESA premises.
“We are continuously monitoring the business environment to make the adjustments necessary to position our business for the future and assesses staffing levels to ensure they are in line with current business needs,” says P&W, responding to FlightGlobal’s queries.
P&W also stressed that there will be no changes to the PW1000G-series geared turbofan overhaul capability in Singapore.
ESA is one of the three PW1000G-series engine MRO centres in the Asia-Pacific.
In February, the facility underwent a $85 million refurbishment, which saw the addition of PW1000G-series engines into its range of capabilities, which also include the PW4000 family and the Engine Alliance GP7200.
P&W adds that it is “100% committed to continue delivering on our commitments” despite the pandemic and its “particularly impact” on the aviation industry.
