The facility, designed to handle CFM International CFM56 engines, was originally slated to be operational in 2008, but the process was delayed due to issues associated with the Beijing Olympics and earthquakes in China, according to P&W. It is now expected to open in the next six months, despite the current global economic woes.
“At one point when groundbreaking took place, they thought it would open by the end of 2008 but it will be the first part of 2009 when it will open,” he says, specifying that it will be the “first half” of 2009.
The agreement to establish the facility came in 2005 and was followed one year later by an announcement from Shanghai-based China Eastern that it had awarded P&W a 15-year maintenance service agreement to maintain the airline’s CFM56 engines.
The carrier’s fleet includes CFM56- powered Airbus A320 family aircraft and Boeing 737s.
In addition to engine work for China Eastern, the centre will provide MRO for third-party customers across the Asia-Pacific.
Despite current industry turmoil, P&W remains optimistic about growth in the Asia/Pacific region.