Pratt & Whitney Canada has secured a four-year maintenance, repair, and overhaul agreement with AirBorneo Airways to support the PW127M engines powering the carrier’s legacy ATR 72-500 regional turboprop fleet. Announced on September 24, 2026, the contract ensures operational continuity for the airline’s critical Rural Air Services network across East Malaysia through 2030.

In a press release issued by RTX Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Canada confirmed the engine work will be conducted primarily at its newly expanded facility in Singapore. The localized support is designed to reduce turnaround times and maintain high dispatch reliability for AirBorneo, which relies heavily on its turboprop fleet to connect remote and underserved communities.

Bridging the fleet transition

AirBorneo Airways officially commenced operations under its own identity on January 1, 2026, following the Sarawak government’s acquisition of MASwings from Malaysia Aviation Group. The transition included taking over the Rural Air Services network and an existing fleet of eight ATR 72-500 aircraft.

While the airline placed a firm order for eight new ATR 600-series aircraft at the Singapore Airshow on February 3, 2026, those airframes are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029. The new maintenance agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada bridges this gap, ensuring the older PW127M-powered aircraft remain viable and reliable until the fleet modernization is complete.

AirBorneo Chief Executive Officer Megat Ardian Aminuddin emphasized the importance of regional support for the carrier’s specific operational profile.

“Having this support based in Singapore puts our engine maintenance and repairs close to home and our aircraft back in service faster. That confidence gives us the operational certainty we need to consistently serve our customers on our intra-Borneo routes where reliable air transport is a vital link for remote communities.”

Expanded maintenance capabilities in the Asia-Pacific

The agreement highlights Pratt & Whitney Canada’s recent investments in its Asia-Pacific infrastructure. By expanding its Singapore facility to accommodate broader turboprop maintenance capabilities, the manufacturer can serve regional operators without the logistical delays of shipping engines to North America or Europe.

Anthony Rossi, Vice President of Customer Service for Pratt & Whitney Canada, stated the company worked closely with the airline to develop a solution that manages costs while supporting high dispatch availability. Rossi noted the contract reinforces the manufacturer’s commitment to advancing its maintenance services to meet evolving customer requirements.

The PW100 engine family, which includes the PW127M, has accumulated more than 200 million flight hours over 40 years of regional turboprop operations. When AirBorneo begins receiving its new ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 aircraft, those airframes will be powered by the newer PW127XT Series engines, continuing the operator’s relationship with the RTX business unit.

AirPro News analysis

We view this four-year agreement as a pragmatic stopgap for AirBorneo Airways as it navigates the complex transition from a legacy MASwings operation to an independent, modernized state-owned carrier. The Rural Air Services network operates in challenging environments where aircraft downtime directly impacts community lifelines. By utilizing Pratt & Whitney Canada’s expanded Singapore facility, AirBorneo mitigates supply chain risks and turnaround delays associated with aging airframes. For RTX, which reported $88 billion in sales in 2025 and employs over 180,000 people globally, securing the legacy maintenance contract ensures continuous revenue from the PW127M while seamlessly transitioning the customer to the PW127XT platform later in the decade.

Sources: RTX

Chromalloy has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for a new High Pressure Turbine (HPT) Stage 1 blade for the V2500 Select engine, an approval backed by a manufacturing and development investment exceeding $100 million in Florida.

Announced in a company press release on September 22, 2026, the Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) marks the fifth V2500 component developed through a strategic agreement between Chromalloy and Lufthansa Technik. The certification introduces a cost-efficient, FAA-approved aftermarket replacement option for operators of the V2500 engine worldwide, breaking the original manufacturer’s exclusivity on the high-value airfoil.

Manufacturing expansion and production ramp-up

To support the new HPT Stage 1 blade, Chromalloy directed more than $100 million into its design, development, and certification processes, alongside a significant expansion of its manufacturing footprint. The production operations span three Florida locations: Tampa, Oldsmar, and Palm Beach Gardens. These facilities handle the complete manufacturing lifecycle of the blade, including smelting, casting, machining, and specialized coating.

Production of the new turbine blades is currently ramping up and will continue to accelerate through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. The first shipments are slated for launch customer Lufthansa Technik, which employs approximately 23,000 people and serves as a major maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider for global airline fleets.

Sebastian Hagenmueller, Head of Product V2500 Overhaul at Lufthansa Technik, stated that the FAA approval represents a critical milestone in the collaboration between the two companies. He noted that each new approval adds a proven and cost-efficient option for their customers operating V2500 fleets.

Expanding the V2500 aftermarket portfolio

The HPT Stage 1 blade certification builds on a foundation of recent regulatory approvals for Chromalloy. On February 10, 2026, the company achieved FAA approval for the V2500 Select 8th Stage Compressor Blade PMA. Chromalloy recently marked its 75th anniversary of operations on August 24, 2026, and has developed more than 60 gas-path PMA parts that have collectively accumulated over 6 billion part flight hours.

Chromalloy Chief Executive Officer Chris Celtruda emphasized the technical rigor required to bring the new blade to market.

“This fifth approval reflects significant engineering investment and the strength of our relationship with Lufthansa Technik. Chromalloy remains at the forefront of innovative aftermarket solutions for high-value engine airfoil applications, and we’re proud to keep expanding the value we deliver to Lufthansa Technik, our launch customer, and other airline operators and MROs across the globe.”

AirPro News analysis

We note that the continued expansion of PMA parts for mature engine programs like the V2500 provides critical leverage for MRO providers and airlines seeking to manage lifecycle costs. High-pressure turbine blades operate in the most extreme thermal and mechanical environments within a gas turbine engine, making their development and certification exceptionally rigorous. By investing heavily in domestic manufacturing capabilities across Florida, Chromalloy is positioning itself to capture significant aftermarket share at a time when original equipment manufacturer supply chains remain constrained. The partnership with a major MRO like Lufthansa Technik ensures a built-in launch customer and validates the technical acceptance of these alternative parts in the global market.

Sources: Chromalloy Corporate Newsroom

ST Engineering has secured a two-year exclusive agreement with Hebei Airlines to provide Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) services for 14 CFM56-7B engines. The maintenance program, which commenced in September 2026, will be executed at ST Engineering’s aerospace facility in Xiamen, China.

Announced in a press release on September 23, 2026, the contract reinforces ST Engineering’s position as a primary Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider in the Chinese aviation market. The agreement highlights the sustained demand for CFM56 engine maintenance as operators maintain high utilization rates for their current-generation narrowbody fleets.

Expanding the Hebei Airlines partnership

The exclusive contract covers 14 CFM56-7B engines, the powerplant for the Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Hebei Airlines. The maintenance work will be conducted at ST Engineering’s established facility in Xiamen, leveraging the company’s regional footprint to optimize turnaround times for the Chinese carrier.

Hebei Airlines Deputy General Manager Yang Jun cited the MRO provider’s technical expertise as a key factor in the agreement.

“Built on mutual trust and technical excellence, this programme marks the beginning of a new chapter of closer collaboration, innovation and shared success. As we begin this 14-engine maintenance programme, we look forward to deepening our technical collaboration and strengthening our partnership with ST Engineering.”

Strategic growth in engine MRO

ST Engineering continues to expand its engine services portfolio across the Asia-Pacific region. Tay Eng Guan, Senior Vice President and Head of Engine Services at ST Engineering, noted that the partnership reflects the confidence Chinese operators place in the company to enhance engine lifecycle value and performance.

The Hebei Airlines contract aligns with a broader expansion of ST Engineering’s commercial aerospace support network. On September 23, 2026, the company also announced three multi-year agreements with RTX’s Collins Aerospace. That concurrent deal expands collaboration on aircraft component support, including new repair capabilities for Boeing 787 components and continued lifecycle support for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Line Replaceable Units (LRUs).

AirPro News analysis

We view this agreement as a clear indicator of the ongoing reliance on the CFM56 engine family. As supply chain constraints and delivery delays impact the introduction of newer aircraft powered by CFM LEAP and Pratt & Whitney engines, airlines are forced to extend the operational life of their existing Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320ceo fleets. This dynamic creates a highly lucrative environment for established MRO providers capable of executing complex PRSV programs. ST Engineering’s ability to secure exclusive, multi-year contracts demonstrates the premium operators place on reliable turnaround times and proven technical capability in a constrained maintenance market.

Sources: ST Engineering