MTU Aero Engines said it secured record orders at this year's Paris Air Show, with engine orders worth around $1.75bn placed at the event.
“This is the first time in MTU's history that we have achieved such a high order intake at a trade fair: $1.75bn is an absolute record,” said MTU CEO Lars Wagner. “This success once again proves that we have the right, forward-looking engines in our portfolio and underpins MTU's positive growth prospects. It also impressively demonstrates the market's confidence in geared turbofan technology.”
The company said a large majority of the orders were for the GTF engine.
The largest GTF order was placed by Wizz Air, with the airline opting to equip 177 A321neo aircraft with PW1100G-JM engines. Frontier Airlines also selected this engine model to power 91 A321neos.
MTU has a stake of between 15 and 18% in the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine family, depending on the model, and is responsible for the development and production of various stages of the high-pressure compressor, the high-speed low-pressure turbine, and brush seals.
The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus to progress together on hydrogen fuel cell propulsion to decarbonise aviation. The MoU was signed during the air show.
The agreement sets out a three-step roadmap for the development of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell engine suitable for the commercial aviation market.
The first step is to mature the technological building blocks essential for the engine through joint research projects, such as Clean Aviation. The second step will involve aligning the two partners' R&T roadmaps on hydrogen technologies. The result of these joint explorations then would allow us to consider a third step towards the development of a fuel-cell engine for a hydrogen powered aircraft.