The world’s largest manufacturer of business aircraft engines says the market will return to the record levels enjoyed in 2008 – but not until 2014, at the earliest. Pratt & Whitney Canada President John Saabas told Bloomberg there are also some major developments brewing as Bombardier and Gulfstream square off for dominance of the big bizjet market and as Cessna considers relaunching the Columbus intercontinental model it shelved in 2009. “It’s a great opportunity for us with all those yet-to-be announced competitions,” Saabas said. He said the big jet market will strengthen first, which bodes well for P&WC’s current development project, the PW800 series.
Cessna was to be the launch customer for the PW800, but development has continued because the hot section is being tested as part of the development of larger engines for the Bombardier CSeries and Mitsubishi’s new regional jet. “There are going to be regional applications before the business world, so the core will be developed,” Saabas said. By the time the bizjet market has recovered, Saabas said the PW800 will be ready for the new aircraft that will be introduced.
