RTX (NYSE:RTX) said its Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage engine has been approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency for use on Airbus A320neo family aircraft, clearing the way for production deliveries and commercial entry later this year.
The engine had already received certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in February 2025, with EASA confirming the type certification in October 2025.
Compared with the current GTF model, the GTF Advantage offers 4% to 8% higher takeoff thrust, allowing for greater payload capacity and extended range. The new engine is fully compatible with existing GTF units and is set to become the standard production configuration, with a full transition expected by 2028.
Pratt & Whitney also plans to roll out its GTF Hot Section Plus upgrade for existing PW1100G-JM engines later this year. This enhancement is designed to deliver roughly 90% to 95% of the durability improvements of the GTF Advantage and can be installed during routine maintenance.
To support increased output, the company is investing about $1 billion in its turbine airfoil facility in Asheville, North Carolina, along with an additional $200 million in its forging facility in Columbus, Georgia.
To date, Pratt & Whitney has supplied more than 2,700 aircraft powered by GTF engines to over 90 customers worldwide and reports a backlog of more than 13,000 orders and commitments across its platforms.