Pratt & Whitney Receives Two 20-Year Service Agreements From Northwest Airlines

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northwest Airlines (NWA) has awarded Pratt & Whitney two, 20-year Global Service Partners service agreements to maintain Northwest's fleet of PW2000 and PW4168A engines. The service agreements are the largest ever awarded to Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"During a review of our maintenance cost model, we found that having a single-source maintenance provider for our PW2000 and PW4000 engines would significantly reduce our engine maintenance costs," said Andrew Roberts, Northwest Airlines executive vice president of operations. "Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners presented the most comprehensive solution for our engine maintenance needs while meeting our cost reduction targets. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Pratt & Whitney."

The Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners service agreements for Northwest's fleet of PW2000-powered 757s and PW4168-powered A330s, include: engine overhaul, part repair, materials management, on-wing engine diagnostics, lease engine support, environmentally-friendly EcoPower(R) on- wing water washes, as well as engine upgrades that add fuel efficiency and durability while lowering maintenance cost.

"We appreciate Northwest Airlines' continued confidence in the quality and competitiveness of our products and services," said Steve Finger, Pratt & Whitney president. "Pratt & Whitney's relationship with NWA began in 1926 when we powered their first aircraft. Our 80-year partnership with Northwest illustrates our continued commitment to delivering engine solutions that contribute to the success of our customers."

"We are delighted that Northwest Airlines, a recognized market leader, has chosen Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners to deliver world-class engine services," said Jim Keenan, senior vice president and general manager, Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners. "This long-term maintenance partnership strengthens Pratt & Whitney's position as a unique OEMRO(TM) engine services provider." OEMRO(TM) represents Pratt & Whitney's commitment to unmatched capability and excellence as both an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider.

Northwest Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,400 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world's most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 900 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents.

Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners is a total service provider for CFM56(R), V2500(R) and Pratt & Whitney engines. In addition to offering traditional engine overhaul and repair services, customers count on Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners to improve engine performance and increase asset value through a broad portfolio of services including line maintenance services, engine monitoring and diagnostics, environmentally-friendly on-wing

water washes, lease engines, custom engine service programs and new and repaired parts.

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 building industries.

This release includes "forward looking statements" concerning expected revenue, earnings, cash flow and other matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward looking statements include the health of the global economy; strength of end market demand in the commercial aerospace industry; fluctuation in commodity prices, and interest rates and company specific items including the ability to achieve cost reductions at planned levels; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies and new products and services; delays and disruption in delivery of materials and services from suppliers; labor disputes; and the outcome of legal proceedings. For information identifying other important economic, political, regulatory, legal, technological, competitive and other uncertainties, see UTC's SEC filings as submitted from time to time, including but not limited to, the information included in UTC's 10-K and 10-Q Reports under the headings "Business," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Cautionary Note Concerning Factors that May Affect Future Results," as well as the information included in UTC's Current Reports on Form 8-K.

    Jennifer Arsenault              Robin Salisbury
    Pratt & Whitney                 P&W Global Service Partners
    860.565.9600                    860.565.8220
    jennifer.arsenault@pw.utc.com   robin.salisbury@pw.utc.com