US Airways has become the first airline to select Pratt & Whitney's "hybrid" PW4000 turbofan. The US airline has ordered the 73,000lb-thrust (324kN) PW4173 to power some of the 30 Airbus A330-300s it has on order and option.
The airline, which has firm orders for seven A330s and options and commitments for 23 more, will take the remainder of the aircraft equipped with the basic 68,000lb- thrust PW4168. The deal is worth up to $1.6 billion to P&W, including through-life maintenance.
The PW4173 combines the core of the high-thrust PW4198 with the 2.54m (100in)-diameter fan of the PW4168. This increases thrust, but improves durability, P&W says, as the core is derated.
The hybrid engine is to be certificated next year. A330 deliveries to US Airways are scheduled to begin in December 1999, but initial aircraft will be powered by the basic PW4168. The higher thrust engine will power later aircraft intended for use on routes where payload capability is an issue, such as services from obstacle-limited airports in Europe.
The engine supply part of the deal is worth potentially $750 million, while the long term fleet maintenance agreement is valued at $850 million, if US Airways takes all 30 A330s it has committed to.
Source: Flight International
