Cape Town - South African Airways Technical (SAAT) has signed an agreement with Pratt and Whitney, with which SAAT hopes to consolidate its position as the leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organisation for aircraft on the African continent.
SAAT is the sole provider of aircraft maintenance to South African Airways and also does maintenance for over 25 other domestic, regional and international airlines, while Pratt and Whitney is a world leader in the servicing of aircraft engines.
The parties say the new contract will significantly enhance and expand SAAT’s service offering, resulting in the creation of more technical and engineering jobs. The agreement is also in line with SAAT’s growth strategy to increase third party revenue.
SAAT currently has the capability to repair and overhaul JT8 and JT9D series aircraft engines.
The agreement will result in further improvement of the turnaround times on engine overhauls through dedicated spares support and technical know-how, as well as alignment to industry standards.
“These engines form part of the consignment of customer engines supported by Pratt & Whitney.
"SAAT is pleased that Pratt & Whitney has entrusted us to perform these services on behalf of their customers,” said Musa Zwane, CEO of SAAT.
The agreement covers a period of three-and-a-half years with a focus on the repair and overhaul work on JT9D-7R4G2 type engines.
Furthermore, this agreement has the potential to create a platform which will allow SAAT to upgrade its existing engine overhaul and supporting workshop facilities to new era jet engines.
“With SAAT entering the era of modern aircraft engine overhaul, this will result in the creation of additional jobs in the technical and engineering field as well as the development of specialised engineering processes in our workshops bringing SAAT in line with leading jet engine overhaul facilities worldwide,” added Zwane.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, industrial gas turbines and space propulsion systems.
The company has about 36 000 employees, supporting more than 11 000 customers around the world.