EngineFarnborough, UK. 19 July 2022 . Pratt & Whitney Canada announced that Afrijet of Gabon has signed a 12-year Guaranteed Maintenance Cost Plan (GMCP) to cover the engines on three ATR 72-600 aircraft that are on order. One of the aircraft will be powered by PW127M engines, while the other two will fly with new PW127XT-M engines.

“Our GMCP is a flexible, high-value “pay as you go” engine management solution that helps lock in lower operating costs and simplifies fleet operations management,” said Irene Makris, vice president, Customer Service, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “Tailored to suit the unique requirements of fleet operators and airlines, our GMCP allows customers to focus on their core business and eliminates the overhead and logistical challenges of operating a maintenance facility. It is our pleasure to welcome Afrijet on board as a valued customer.”

“By contracting this GMCP, Afrijet trusts Pratt & Whitney Canada to significantly improve cost predictability and engine maintenance-related cash flow management. We believe the maintenance solution developed by the manufacturer is well adapted to an airline of our size and we value Pratt & Whitney’s customized approach to our operating environment,” said Marc Gaffajoli CEO, Afrijet.

The PW127XT engine, launched at the 2021 Dubai Airshow, is the new standard in regional turboprop aviation. The PW127XT offers 40% more time on wing, a 20% reduction in maintenance costs and 3% less fuel consumption. Overall, regional turboprops consume 40% less fuel and emit 40% less CO2 emissions than regional jets on flights up to 400 nautical miles.