The carrier has been using their A220s to restore the domestic and regional markets providing vital connectivity in South Korea and helping to stimulate local economies. Korean Air offers A220 flights to/from Seoul-Gimpo, Busan, Cheongju, Jeju and Ulsan.
In Tuesday (November 24, 2020) Pratt & Whitney profiled the success that Korean Air has had in utilizing their Airbus A220 fleet powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines to lead the recovery of air travel in South Korea. With greater capacity and lower operating costs, the carrier has been operating A220s to restore regional and domestic passenger service in South Korea with links to and from several cities including Seoul-Gimpo, Busan, Cheongju, Jeju and Ulsan. The vital connectivity has provided a much-needed boost to local economies as the country recovers from the global COVID-19 pandemic. Korean Air operates the larger Airbus A220-300 featuring 140 Economy Class seats in a 2-3 configuration. The aircraft offers more space and a reduced noise footprint, thanks to Pratt & Whitney’s efficient GTF engines. In Tuesday’s press announcement, Korean Air’s Chief Operating Officer, Lee Soo Keun, said,
“Korean Air has been operating ten A220s and these aircraft are used on our domestic and short-haul routes. Thanks to its more fuel-efficient engines, Korean Air’s GTF-powered A220s have lower operating cost, which enables us to utilize the fleet effectively. It’s important to us that we continue to support efforts that repatriate and reconnect people to their loved ones, while also sustaining the economy with the continued flow of goods and essential supplies.”
The Airbus A220 is powered exclusively by Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines which offer lower operating costs, double digit improvements in fuel and carbon emissions, a 75% reduction in noise footprint and a 50% reduction in NOx emissions below the ICAO CAEP/6 regulation. The aircraft-engine combination allows airlines to lower costs per trip and add capacity over smaller regional aircraft, while right-sizing capacity over larger jets. The A220 also allows carriers to open new, longer and profitable routes that may have been previously unsustainable.
Also commenting on Korean Air’s A220 success, Pratt & Whitney’s Vice President of Customer Business for Asia Pacific, added,
“Many airlines have continued flying the GTF-powered A220 throughout the downturn. For others, the A220 was one of the first aircraft that airlines put back into service, due to its superior flexibility and fuel efficiency. This is why the GTF-powered A220 has been one of the commercial aircraft with the highest utilization throughout the crisis and early recovery.”
Korean Air also utilizes Pratt & Whitney’s A220 health monitoring unit which captures thousands of engine and aircraft data points throughout the full flight cycle. The system allows the companies to better monitor engine performance, minimize downtime, schedule preventive maintenance and increase aircraft utilization, all essential for maximum efficiency.
A division of Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), Pratt & Whitney is a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) for commercial, military, regional, business and general aviation aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is known for their innovative technologies such as the Geared Turbofan (GTF) commercial aircraft engine and the PW800 business jet engine. In 2020, the company is celebrating their 95th year in business.
Source: Pratt & Whitney