Karen Walker
New sales announcements and a new commitment to the future are expected to be among this week's messages from International Aero Engines (IAE), the multi-national engine consortium responsible for building the V2500. Flight Daily News understands that on Wednesday, the IAE partners of Fiat, MTU, Japan Aero Engines, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce will declare their intention to develop and market any future engine for the 100-150 seat narrowbody market as an IAE product. It is not yet known whether the engine will be based on the PW8000, the geared-fan technology engine that P&W has been touting for this market sector, or whether IAE will develop a powerplant from a completely different starting point. Either way, the commitment will clear up the confused situation that has existed ever since P&W announced its intention to pursue this market with the PW8000, causing industry observers to speculate on the future of IAE. IAE's senior vice president of sales and customer support, Mike Field, says: "As far as looking to the future we, like other engine companies, are always examining future market needs. Whether there are other applications for the V2500 or for IAE in the future is very much dependent upon things that we don't control. It's a very speculative area. But the fact is we have a very strong programme and strong commitment from our shareholders." Meanwhile, IAE is also keeping details of new order announcements close to its chest. But Field says with a resounding 'yes!' that new sales are definitely on the table. "There has been a lot of activity in the market place and a lot of business commitments that we have been working on. So yes, there will be announcements and more than one." The V2500 has the distinct advantage of operating in one of today's strongest sectors in the commercial airline industry the narrowbody market. While the widebody market was badly dented by the recent Asian economic crisis, the narrowbody market has remained buoyant and IAE's order backlog now stands at a significant two to three years. "Everyone knows there will be a downturn and this is a cyclical industry, but I expect the single-aisle market will continue to be strong," he says. According to Field, it is the technology issue that continues to be the V2500's most important message. "The V2500 entered the marketplace at inception with a level of technology that was leading edge," he says. Field points out that at a time when airlines are waiting to know what the new minimum requirements will be for noise and emissions, the V2500, "already meets the most stringent environmental conditions."
Source: Flight Daily News
