Time to make a Select-ion

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The US-based consortium, IAE International Aero Engines AG (a joint venture between Rolls Royce, Pratt & Whitney, JAEC and MTU Aero Engines) will be showcasing the upgraded version of V2500 —V2500 SelectOne built standard — at the Aero India.

V2500 is a two-shaft, high-bypass-ratio engine that provides thrust ranging from 22,000 pounds to 33,000 pounds. To date, more than 4,000 V2500 engines have been ordered or delivered to power approximately 2,000 aircraft since its entry into service in 1989. The engine has low noise and emissions levels as well as low ownership costs. Following the V2500-A1 introduced in 1989, IAE developed the V2500-A5 improved model which entered service in 1993 rated at 26,500 pounds.

Earlier in 2006, IAE had received the single largest firm order from low-cost Indian airline IndiGo valued at $1 billion for its 100 A320 aircraft fleet. By placing this order, IndiGo also became the launch customer for V2500Select.

“V2500Select incorporates a combined engine upgrade — to the SelectOne standard — and after-sales support programme, which improves fuel burn, reduces operating costs and offers time-on-wing improvement and this is what we would like to highlight at the show,” pointed out Andy Robinson, Regional Vice-President Customers, Middle East and Southern Asia.

Commenting on the choice of V2500 engines, Bruce Ashby, CEO, IndiGo, stated, “The IAE engines are of proven technology, installed with a number of other Indian carriers flying the same type of planes. For us, what was important is that the total maintenance and economic package, which they had put out together for us, was very competitive and that would help us to keep our costs under control.”

IAE's first brush with Indian market started with Indian Airlines (Indian, in its new avtaar) few years ago. Till about 2003, Indian was the only A320 operator having 36 V2500 in its service. However, in 2004 the entry of Air Deccan meant a surge in demand for IAE engines. It began operating its fleet of A320 aircraft with V2500-A5 engines in August 2004. In February 2005, the airline announced it was ordering 30 A320 aircraft, supported by a long-term Fleet Hour Agreement maintenance support contract. The new aircraft will be delivered from 2007. With a follow-on order in March 2006, for V2500 engines to power 30 additional Airbus A320 family aircraft, the number of V2500-powered A320s selected by Air Deccan is currently 62.