MIRABEL, Quebec, Dec. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) and Air Tanzania celebrated delivery of the airline’s first A220 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines.  Air Tanzania, headquartered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, will be the first airline based in Africa to operate GTF engines and the A220 aircraft.

“We place trust in aircraft with high reliability, operational versatility and fuel efficiency which is why we selected the A220 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines,” said Ladislaus Matindi, CEO of Air Tanzania. “We are excited to offer our passengers enhanced comfort and more flight options while promoting development and growth in the markets we serve.”  

The United Republic of Tanzania, represented by the Tanzanian Government Flight Agency (TGFA) signed an agreement for two Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered Airbus A220 aircraft and one Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150-powered Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft in December 2016.  The airline will be utilizing the aircraft for domestic and international operations, expanding their routes and growing beyond Africa.

“While Air Tanzania is well known to the Pratt & Whitney family, having previously operated Pratt & Whitney-powered Q300 and Q400 aircraft, we are embarking on a new journey together as they take delivery of their first GTF-powered A220 aircraft,” said Rick Deurloo, senior vice president of sales, marketing and customer support at Pratt & Whitney. “The impact this airline will make on the region with the operation of these two aircraft is truly notable.  The GTF engines offer proven economic and environmental benefits with the ability to fly farther with less fuel, making Air Tanzania’s decision to expand their route network a viable solution.  We look forward to growing this relationship together.” The A220, exclusively powered by the GTF engine, offers double-digit improvement in operating costs compared to current generation aircraft. It’s 20% more fuel efficient and provides a 75% reduction in noise footprint and NOx emissions 50% below the ICAO CAEP 6 regulation.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC. To learn more about the GTF engine, visit www.pwgtf.com. To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in levels of demand in the aerospace industry, in levels of air travel, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production support, performance and realization of the anticipated benefits of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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SOURCE Pratt & Whitney