Pratt & Whitney has won the order to supply engines for 40 new Airbus jets to be supplied to Qantas Airways. The Australian carrier is starting a fleet replacement effort with 20 A321XLRs and 20 A220s, and purchase options for a further 94 aircraft. The value for the 40 narrow-body jets is said to be at least $6.5 billion at list prices, which could run up to $20 billion if all the options are fulfilled.
In addition to the narrow-body A321XLRs and A220s, which will be operated on domestic and some regional flights, Qantas ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000 wide-body jets that it will operate on the non-stop Sydney-to-London route – a 20-hour flight that is listed as the longest regularly scheduled journey in commercial aviation.
The aircraft deliveries will begin in 2025, with the fleet replacement program stretching “over a 10-plus-year delivery window.”
“The A320s and A220s will become the backbone of our domestic fleet for the next 20 years, helping to keep this country moving,” according to Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce. “Their range and economics will make new direct routes possible, including serving regional cities better."
The geared turbofan engines (GTF™) or PW1000G series engines offered by Pratt & Whitney for Qantas’ new A321XLRs and A220s will be supplied along with a long-term, comprehensive service agreement. At an estimated $10 million unit cost, Pratt & Whitney’s order could be worth as much as $800 million.
According to the developer Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine delivers sustainability, reliability, and cost benefits to operators. It explains that the engines cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 16-20% and the units’ “noise footprint” by 75%, with NOx emissions 50% below the ICAO CAEP/6 regulation.
There are six GTF variants: the Airbus A321neo series adopts the PW1100G as one option; the A220 series has the PW1500G as its exclusive engine selection.
