Aviation

Pratt & Whitney Faces Lawsuit Over Aircraft Engine Allegations

In a significant legal development within the aerospace industry, Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of aerospace giant RTX, finds itself embroiled in a formidable $150 million lawsuit. As reported by Reuters.

Filed by Universal Turbine Parts LLC (UTP) in a Philadelphia federal court, the lawsuit accuses Pratt & Whitney Canada, a unit of RTX, of engaging in anti-competitive practices aimed at stifling competition in the market for used engines and parts for regional commercial aircraft, freight operations, and other applications.

UTP, an Alabama-based supplier of aftermarket aircraft engines and engine parts, alleges that Pratt & Whitney Canada has systematically obstructed rivals, including UTP, from accessing its used PT6 and PW100 turboprop engines.

These engines, manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, hold a significant presence in the aviation industry, with Pratt having produced over 64,000 PT6 engines and 8,000 PW100 engines, as stated in the lawsuit.

Central to UTP’s claims is the assertion that Pratt & Whitney has violated U.S. competition law by imposing restrictions that prevent approved “overhaul facilities” from supplying engines and parts to UTP and other second-hand sellers.

Moreover, UTP accuses Pratt of engaging in unfair practices by acquiring used engines and parts at non-economic prices, effectively monopolizing the market and limiting access for competitors.

The lawsuit further alleges that Pratt & Whitney may have obtained sensitive information, leading to its attempts to cut off the supply of engines to UTP and other second-hand sellers. UTP’s legal action seeks $150 million in cash damages, portraying Pratt’s actions as part of a larger “multi-faceted scheme” of antitrust offenses.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.