The first three days of the Paris Airshow 2023 saw a flurry of activity, with airlines ordering aircraft of different capacities. However, the fourth day was marked by the announcement of thrilling deals focusing on the sustainability aspect of the aviation industry’s future. Here’s a roundup of the day’s highlights:

Airbus and LanzaJet Collaborate to Produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Airbus and LanzaJet have signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate the certification and adoption of 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). LanzaJet’s proprietary Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology uses low-carbon ethanol to create SAF that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared to fossil fuels. This collaboration is a significant step in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. Read more

Air Cahana Orders 250 Hydrogen-Electric Engines from ZeroAvia at Paris Air Show

Air Cahana has ordered 250 hydrogen-electric engines from ZeroAvia. The ZA2000 engines, developed by ZeroAvia, are zero-emission propulsion systems and represent the company’s most powerful powertrain platform. With a power output range of 2,000 kW to 5,000 kW, the ZA2000 uses hydrogen fuel to generate electricity, powering the electric motors with zero emissions. Read more

GKN Aerospace Achieves Milestone in F-35 Program with European Fleet Servicing

GKN Aerospace has successfully serviced and maintained the first F-35 wheels and brakes assemblies for the European fleet at its GKN Fokker landing gear facility in the Netherlands. This marks an important step forward in expanding the F-35 industrial base and increasing international partnership in the program. Read more

AutoFlight to Conduct Experimental eVTOL Flights at 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Electric aircraft pioneer AutoFlight is set to perform experimental flights of its Prosperity I aircraft at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. AutoFlight has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Groupe ADP, previously known as Aeroports de Paris, committing to carry out experimental eVTOL flights from Pontoise Vertiport during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Read more

Pratt & Whitney to Launch New Manufacturing Site in Morocco and Expand in Georgia

Pratt & Whitney has announced plans to manufacture critical engine parts in Morocco and increase the capacity of its facility in Columbus, Georgia. This expansion will help meet the growing demand for its products and services. Read more

Pratt & Whitney, the leading engine maker, revealed at the ongoing Paris Air Show that it plans to venture into Morocco to manufacture key components for several of its engine models. The company also confirmed new airline contracts to power their aircraft.

New Manufacturing Site in Morocco

Pratt & Whitney will establish an affiliate, Pratt & Whitney Maroc (PWM), in Casablanca, which will manufacture detailed static and structural machined parts for various engine models. The company expects that this investment will enhance its cost-effective sourcing capabilities, boost competitiveness, and optimize operational footprint and asset utilization. Maria Della Posta, president of Pratt & Whitney Canada, stated,

“Morocco offers many benefits for aerospace manufacturing. The growing aerospace community in Casablanca ensures a highly valuable talent pool, a positive economic environment, and the support from Morocco’s government. Pratt & Whitney Maroc, as an independent affiliate, will create 200 jobs by 2030, and we look forward to joining the business community in Casablanca’s MidParc Free Zone.”

The new 130,000 square-foot facility will be designed with lean principles and CORE methodology to enhance efficiency, improve quality, and lower costs. Morocco was chosen after a global benchmarking exercise due to its thriving aerospace companies, business costs, and skilled workforce. The company anticipates this investment to strengthen its production capacity to meet robust engine demand, bring it closer to its African customer base and partners, and further support the region’s aerospace growth. The facility’s construction is set to start in Q4 2023 for a successful launch in 2025.

The Moroccan Ministry of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies (MICEPP) representative mentioned that this project would create job opportunities for local youth, facilitate knowledge transfer, and encourage collaboration among local and international stakeholders.

Expansion in Columbus, Georgia

Pratt & Whitney also plans to expand its facility in Columbus, Georgia, investing over $200 million to increase its capacity. The company’s campus in Georgia has been operational for almost four decades and comprises the Columbus Engine Center and Columbus Forge.

This investment will enable Pratt & Whitney to overhaul up to 400 GTF (geared turbofan) engines each year, also known as the PW1000G. The GTF powers the Embraer E2, Airbus A220, Airbus A320neo aircraft, as well as the F117 and F100 military jet engines.

New Airline Deals

At this year’s Paris Air Show, Pratt & Whitney secured new deals. China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase up to 60 GTF engines to power Airbus A320neo aircraft. Additionally, United Airlines selected Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine to power its Airbus A321neo and XLR fleet over the next few years. United has placed firm orders for 70 Airbus A321neos and 50 A321XLRs, with the first of these GTF-powered Airbus deliveries expected later this year.

In the aftermath of the Paris Air Show, electric aircraft pioneer AutoFlight announced it will carry out experimental piloted flights of its Prosperity I aircraft during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Infrastructure Ready for eVTOL

AutoFlight has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Groupe ADP, previously known as Aeroports de Paris. The group manages around 20 airports worldwide, including Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Le Bourget airports in the Paris area. Additionally, it operates Pontoise Vertiport, a passenger terminal and testing ground for future electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) operations, situated about 50 kilometers from Paris.

The MoU commits AutoFlight and Groupe ADP to carry out experimental eVTOL flights with Prosperity I from Pontoise Vertiport during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. High-profile original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have already pledged to operate live flights in Paris next year, marking the Paris Olympics as both a showcase and proving ground for eVTOL makers.

Mark Henning, managing director of AutoFlight Europe, mentioned that the 2024 games will be a global celebration, and AutoFlight is proud to have its technology be part of it.

Delivering Under Pressure

The MoU, signed by AutoFlight CEO Tian Yu and Groupe ADP Deputy CEO Edward Arkwright, aims to spotlight “AutoFlight’s potential in scaling up sustainable urban logistics and passenger transportation under real-world conditions.” Prosperity I, exhibited at the air show, is designed for safe, quiet, affordable urban trips and regional journeys.

AutoFlight touts a “world record” range of 250 kilometers and claims the aircraft is among the few to have successfully navigated the challenging transition phase from vertical to horizontal flight “hundreds of times.” According to the OEM, the energy consumption of Prosperity I is on par with an electric car, heralding a new era of sustainable logistics and passenger transportation.

Pontoise Vertiport, Europe’s most advanced airfield for sustainable air mobility, features dedicated take-off and landing areas, a passenger terminal, a fully equipped maintenance hangar, and advanced control areas. ADP Groupe is deeply involved in eVTOL infrastructure, with plans for five additional vertiports.

The collaboration encapsulated by the MoU is part of Groupe ADP’s strategy to establish a unique Paris area air mobility ecosystem, an initiative underway since 2020 to position the company at the forefront of the push for advanced urban air mobility.