Pratt & Whitney Canada Signs MRO Deal with AirBorneo Airways

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