Air India to use eco-friendly aircraft washing system
By Venkata Vemuri, IANSMonday, July 19, 2010
FARNBOROUGH - India’s national carrier Air India has signed an agreement with American aircraft engines and products manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to set up an environment-friendly system for washing aircraft engines at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
The agreement was signed by Air India and Pratt & Whitney on the sidelines of the Farnborough Air Show that began here Monday.
The EcoPower engine wash system, patented by the company, reduces fuel burn, eliminating three pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for every pound of fuel saved. It also helps decrease engine gas temperature thus increasing the amount of time an engine can stay on wing.
Joanne Hastings, director, Pratt & Whitney Line Maintenance Services, told PR Newswire, a Britain-based specialised news agency which broke news abut the agreement: “This partnership will expand the availability of EcoPower engine wash services to India, one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets. The service is especially valued since fuel prices in India are among the highest in the world.”
K.M. Unni, SBU Head (MRO-Airframe), Air India, was quoted as saying: “Air India will offer its customers the unique advantage of EcoPower engine wash services in India. This will help airlines reduce their operating costs and emissions.”
Under the agreement, Air India can perform EcoPower engine washes on various engines in its fleet of aircraft. It will offer the services to other carriers in the region. The service center will have the ability to perform washes on nearly all commercial engines currently in service.
