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.