AirTran Airways Signs Exclusive EcoPower(R) Engine Wash Agreement

July 16, 2008 8:00 AM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), signed an exclusive agreement today with JET Aircraft Maintenance, Inc., a designated service provider of Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners EcoPower(R) engine wash services. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

Under the agreement, AirTran will use EcoPower(R) engine wash services on its fleet of 143 aircraft, which consists of Boeing 737-700s and 717-200s, part of America's youngest all-Boeing fleet.

"With today's rising fuel costs, we see EcoPower engine wash and this agreement with JET Aircraft Maintenance as a key step to improving our operating costs," said Kirk Thornburg, vice president of maintenance and engineering for AirTran Airways. "Over time, we expect this agreement to save AirTran Airways about a million gallons of fuel annually, which leads right to savings at the bottom line."

"Pratt & Whitney's EcoPower engine wash service is the best in the industry," said Miguel A. Villacorta, president and CEO, JET Aircraft Maintenance, Inc. "As a leading line maintenance provider in the United States, we are pleased to offer this effective, environmentally friendly service to AirTran Airways."

EcoPower(R) washes reduce engine fuel burn by as much as 1.2 percent, eliminate three pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for every pound of fuel saved, and decrease exhaust gas temperature by as much as 15 degrees Celsius, improving performance and increasing the amount of time an engine can stay on wing.

Through its franchise agreement, JET operates EcoPower(R) service centers at Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).

JET Aircraft Maintenance, Inc. is a leading FAA and EASA certified repair station offering line maintenance support and services at 11 airports across the United States. With more than 600 PMA parts, JET offers flight deck crew seat repairs, overhauls and class 3 expendables through its sister company JET Repair Center, Inc.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc., a Fortune 1000 company, ranked number one in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study. The airline offers more than 700 affordable, daily flights to 57 U.S. destinations, employs 8,900 friendly Crew Members and operates America's youngest all-Boeing fleet. AirTran Airways also provides XM Satellite Radio and Business Class seating on every flight. For more information and free online booking, visit http://www.airtran.com.

    Media Contacts:  AirTran Airways
                     Tad Hutcheson
                     Judy Graham-Weaver
                     Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas
                     Quinnie Jenkins
                     678.254.7442

SOURCE AirTran Airways

Related Categories

Press Releases

Stocks Mentioned

Add Your Comment

Name

Subject

Body

Verification can't see the text?
click here to refresh the image.
what's this?