ITP Aero Joins GTF MRO Network, Targets Early 2027 Start

ITP Aero Joins Pratt & Whitney’s GTF MRO Network, Targets Early 2027 Launch

ITP Aero is poised to broaden its commercial maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations by integrating into Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan (GTF) aftermarket network. The company announced at the Paris Air Show on June 17 that it plans to induct its first GTF engine at its Madrid-area Ajalvir facility by early 2027. This development marks a pivotal expansion for the Bilbao-based firm, which will begin servicing PW1500G engines for Airbus A220-family aircraft and PW1900G engines for Embraer E-Jets E2-family aircraft.

Strategic Shift and Operational Expansion

Historically, ITP Aero’s Ajalvir site has concentrated on noncommercial aerospace engines. Its entry into the GTF network represents a strategic pivot, securing a guaranteed volume of engine shop visits allocated by Pratt & Whitney starting in early 2027. Alan Jones, executive vice president of ITP Aero’s MRO Business, projects that the company will scale operations to handle over 120 engine visits annually by 2033. Initial efforts will prioritize heavier maintenance tasks to accelerate skill acquisition and capability development, with plans to diversify into light and medium maintenance scopes as the program evolves.

ITP Aero will undertake full engine overhauls and component repairs, drawing on its extensive experience as a risk and revenue sharing partner in the GTF program. The company has played a significant role in designing and manufacturing critical components, including mid-turbine frames and integrally bladed rotors for high-pressure compressors. This technical foundation positions ITP Aero to compete for advanced repair work within the GTF network. Jones emphasized the company’s strong manufacturing background and established credibility with Pratt & Whitney as key advantages in substantiating its capabilities to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Challenges and Market Implications

Integrating into the GTF MRO network presents several challenges. ITP Aero must harmonize the capabilities of its recently acquired BP Aero with its existing repair methodologies while adhering to the stringent maintenance standards mandated by the GTF program. The company will also confront intense competition from established MRO providers, including Pratt & Whitney itself. Industry analysts suggest that ITP Aero’s entry could heighten competition for GTF MRO services, potentially driving down prices and exerting pressure on profit margins. In response, competitors may enhance their own service offerings to protect market share, while airlines such as JetBlue Airways and Wizz Air might adjust their fleet maintenance strategies amid the shifting landscape.

To support its GTF program commitments, ITP Aero plans to invest approximately €100 million ($115 million) over the next four to five years, commencing in the second half of 2025. These investments will focus on acquiring specialized equipment, tooling, and upgrading facilities at the Ajalvir site. Jones noted that while the company will leverage its existing MRO infrastructure, it will also expand and reconfigure certain areas to accommodate the new workload.

As ITP Aero prepares for its inaugural GTF engine induction in early 2027, it aims to establish itself as a significant competitor in the commercial engine MRO market, leveraging its technical expertise and strategic investments to meet the demands of next-generation aircraft engines.