By Bernadette Cooney
To read from the original article visit Business North – Volumne 34 | Issue 3 | May 2025
A significant expansion is under way at the Christchurch Engine Centre in Harewood, which will add 14,000sqm of workshop and test-facility space in preparation for servicing the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine for the first time within New Zealand.
The US$150 million investment will ensure the centre’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities grow to handle the GTF™ engine that powers Air New Zealand’s AirbusA320neo aircraft.
To date, more than 2200 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to over 80 customers worldwide.
GTF engines enable up to 20% better fuel efficiency with a smaller noise footprint, and since entering service in 2016 have helped airlines save more than two billion gallons of fuel, equivalent to avoiding 20 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, compared to those aircraft having been powered by prior-generation engines.
Demand for the GTF engine remains strong, with 11,000 engine orders and commitments in total across all platforms.
Graham Jack, general manager at Christchurch Engine Centre, highlights the importance of the expansion.
“This project will increase our current space, and extend our engine services supporting the International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500 engine powering the Airbus A320ceo aircraft to the GTF-powered Airbus A320neo aircraft. It will be the only engine shop of its kind in New Zealand.”
The first GTF engine overhaul at Christchurch Engine Centre is expected in late2026, with capacity for up to 140 GTF overhauls planned annually by 2032.
Construction is underway, with completion expected in stages.
“With the new MRO capabilities, it will be added to Pratt & Whitney’s GTF MRO network and support the growing fleet,” says Graham.
“This facility has a proven track record of delivering exceptional performance and quality with a highly capable workforce, having overhauled more than 1500 IAE V2500 engines.”
With this growth, the Christchurch Engine Centre will add a couple of hundred staff over the next five years, increasing its highly skilled workforce from a current 400 people to around 600.
The Christchurch Engine Centre is a joint venture between Pratt &Whitney and Air New Zealand.
It was established in 1948 by Air New Zealand’s predecessor, the National Airways Corporation, and has a long history of servicing aircraft engines, from the Gypsy Queen engines to Rolls Royce Dart and Pratt &Whitney JT8D engines on Boeing 727 and 737 aircraft.