Airbus announced today that it will offer the award-winning Pratt & Whitney PurePower® PW1100G geared turbofan™ engine as an ultra fuel-efficient new engine option (neo) for its A320 Family. The A320neo Family is scheduled to enter service from Spring 2016. The A320neo powered by the PW1100G engine offers significant fuel, emissions, noise and operating cost benefits compared to the standard A320 Family. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

The PurePower engine uses an advanced gear system allowing the engine's fan to operate at a different speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and an all-new advanced core delivers double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency and environmental emissions as well as a 50 percent reduction in noise.

"We are confident that the A320neo will be a great success across all markets and with all types of operators, offering them maximum benefit with minimum change. We are leveraging a reliable, mature aircraft and are making it even more efficient and environmentally friendly," said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

"The PurePower engine family has helped the aerospace industry redefine what is possible and when it's possible," said Pratt & Whitney President David Hess. "We are very proud that Airbus selected the PW1100G engine to power the A320neo, and we are committed to flawlessly deliver 100 percent of the benefits of this extraordinary new engine. Airlines flying the PW1100G powered A320neo will have a competitive advantage by cutting fuel and maintenance costs while shrinking their environmental footprint with significantly reduced noise and emissions."

In 2008, Pratt & Whitney partnered with Airbus on a flight test program for the geared turbofan demonstrator that included 27 flights and more than 75 hours of flight testing using an Airbus A340-600 flight test aircraft. Pratt & Whitney began ground testing of its first PW1000G series engine on schedule in September, validating full engine operability, engine fuel and lubrication system, and overall mechanical characteristics. An additional 15 engines will enter testing over the next two years, culminating in engine certification of the initial PW1000G series of engines in late 2012.