General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has placed an order for AlliedSignal's 131-9(A) auxiliary power unit (APU) to be fitted to its firm order for 48 Airbus A320s.
The order is valued at around $48 million over the next few years and will be worth even more should GECAS exercise its option for a further six aircraft.
GECAS will lease the aircraft to airlines around the world.
Tom Johnson, AlliedSignal Aerospace Engines & Systems' vice-president, commercial auxiliary power, says: "For new generation single-aisle commercial aircraft, the 131-9 has become the APU of choice because of its high reliability and low cost of ownership.
"The APU includes more than 50 design recommendations from airframe makers and airline customers, including new technologies and designs that improve performance and maintainability."
More than 400 131-9 series APUs are in service on Airbus A320, Boeing 737 and MD-90 aircraft and AlliedSignal Aerospace has orders for a further 1,760 from 95 airlines around the globe.
The 131-9 family has accrued nearly half a million hours of revenue operation since entering service in April 1995.
Capable of being started, and operating, at up to 39,000ft (12,000m), the 131-9 series provides both pneumatic and electrical power for the aircraft either on the ground or in flight.
Source: Flight Daily News
