Pratt & Whitney has added another partner to its GTF engine aftermarket network after SR Technics became certified to repair the Airbus A320neo powerplant.

The Swiss MRO signed terms this week with the OEM to repair the PW1100G-JM of the engine family for the A320neo family and will offer complete disassembly, assembly and test capability.

It will carry out PW1100G overhauls at its Zurich-based facility, where SR Technics currently undertakes work on CFM56-5B, -5C and -7B engines and PW4000-94 and -100 variants.

The addition of the GTF to its workshop is also set to result in SR Technics expanding its workforce in Switzerland. The company is targeting the creation of up to 400 new jobs by 2024 to meet the new capacity.

It estimates a total investment of CHF80 million ($85.7 million) at its Zurich facility, which will include a new test cell to accommodate the new maintenance work.

Jean-Marc Lenz, CEO at SR Technics, describes the new capability extension as “a cornerstone in our further company development.” He adds: “With adding the PW1100G-JM engine we not only broaden our product portfolio, but we also expand our highly skilled workforce and footprint in Switzerland.”

Since launching into service in January 2016, Pratt has been adding partners to its service of the engine across its aftermarket network. The MRO network includes MTU Aero Engines, Lufthansa Technik, Japanese Aero Engines Corp., Delta TechOps, EME Aero, Ameco Beijing, Air India Engineering Services and OGMA.

To date, Pratt & Whitney says the GTF engine family now powers more than 1,100 aircraft with 56 operators across three aircraft families.

Aviation Week’s Fleet & MRO Forecast data projects a strong future aftermarket for the engine family. From this year through to 2031, an estimated $52.3 billion will be spent on maintenance for the narrowbody engine family.