Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, and Air New Zealand hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a US$150 million, 14,000 square meter expansion of its Christchurch Engine Centre.
The expansion will add maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine in New Zealand, with capacity for up to 140 GTF engine overhauls planned annually by 2032.
Construction of the facility expansion begins this month, and the first GTF engine overhaul is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Christchurch Engine Centre was founded in 1948 by Air New Zealand.
In 2001, the airline and Pratt & Whitney partnered to develop the joint venture, focusing on the maintenance, repair and overhaul of JT8D then V2500 engines.
Today, the Christchurch Engine Centre employs more than 400 highly skilled staff and has overhauled more than 1,500 IAE International Aero Engines AG V2500 engines.
Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand said: “This project between Air New Zealand and global aviation leader Pratt & Whitney marks a significant investment to New Zealand’s economy, helps expand our aviation industrial capability, and adds 200 high value jobs into the Canterbury region.”
Shane Eddy, president, Pratt & Whitney said: “The Christchurch Engine Centre has a proven track record of delivering exceptional performance and quality with a highly capable workforce.
“With the Asia-Pacific region projected to experience the highest aviation growth globally over the next 20 years, it is a strategic imperative for us to invest here and partner with Air New Zealand as we continue to expand the GTF MRO network in support of the growing fleet.”
