REYKJAVIK, Iceland - Icelandair in Reykjavik, Iceland needed to power up to 35 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft. They found their solution from Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. The airline has also selected an EngineWise agreement for the long-term maintenance, repair, and overhaul of its GTF engines. Pratt & Whitney, an RTX company, will provide support to facilitate entry into service and long-term operation of the engines.
The Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, featuring Collins Aerospace nacelle and engine accessories, provides high fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits for single-aisle aircraft. The engine's geared fan architecture, the RTX company says, is the foundation for more efficient and sustainable propulsion technologies in the decades ahead.
RTX says that GTF-powered aircraft reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 16% to 20%, NOx emissions by up to 50%, and noise footprint by up to 75%. The power plant is certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and successfully tested on 100% SAF.
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In 2022, Pratt & Whitney completed the 100% SAF operation and used Pratt & Whitney used Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosine (HEFA-SPK) fuel acquired from World Energy for the test. HEFA-SPK is a specific type of hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel used in aviation. It is considered a leading alternative replacement for conventional jet fuel by CAAFI due to the sustainability of its feedstock.
“Sustainable aviation fuels are central to the challenge of decarbonizing aviation and reaching our industry’s net zero goal. Validating and certifying the GTF Advantage engine on 100 percent SAF will ensure this engine’s ability to deliver sustainable propulsion to our customers over many decades of service,” said Sean Bradshaw, technical fellow for sustainable propulsion at Pratt & Whitney in 2022. “We remain dedicated to working with the industry on creating a viable path for SAF development, production, and distribution.”
