Pratt & Whitney Signs Memorandum of Understanding for Exclusive Maintenance Services Agreement with Alba Star Airlines

LONDON, July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- FARNBOROUGH AIRSHOW -- Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. UTX -0.24% company, has signed a memorandum of understanding for an exclusive maintenance services agreement with Alba Star Airlines to provide engine overhaul services on the airline's fleet of CFM56-3 engines.

According to the memorandum of understanding, under the exclusive five-year agreement, Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners will provide engine overhaul services for up to five Alba Star Airlines' CFM56-3 engines, with additional coverage for unplanned repairs, which will help the airline reduce engine overhaul costs and turnaround time thanks to the Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners network's extensive capabilities and customer-tailored solutions. Alba Star Airlines expects to provide its first engine for overhaul to Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners' Turkish Engine Center beginning in November 2012.

"Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners is dedicated to providing high quality maintenance, repair and overhaul services for CFM56 engines," said Jerry Tarnacki, Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners vice president. "We are pleased to provide Alba Star Airlines engine maintenance on its CFM56-3 engine fleet through the company's extensive maintenance, repair and overhaul network."

"This CFM56 engine support agreement with Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners provides Alba Star Airlines a very competitive and long-term overhaul package, which will allow us to maximize its engine efficiency with minimal operational disruption," said Michael Harrington, Alba Star Airlines managing director. "For an airline of our size, this is a critical success factor."

Alba Star ( www.albastar.es ) is a Spanish Charter airline formed in 2010 and flying a fleet of Boeing 737-400 aircraft. As well as serving top Italian Tour Operators from its Milan Malpensa and Palma de Mallorca base to markets in Spain and Greece, Alba Star has become one of the primary carriers serving the pilgrimage market to Lourdes mainly from Italy. In June 2012, Alba Star inaugurated its first flight from Palma de Mallorca to Lourdes.

Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners is a total service provider for engines made by Pratt & Whitney, International Aero Engines, General Electric, Rolls-Royce and CFMI®. 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. Please visit www.utcaero.com for news from Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies at the Farnborough Air Show 2012.

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SOURCE Pratt & Whitney