Pratt & Whitney Canada Signs Four-Year PW127M Support Deal With AirBorneo

Pratt & Whitney Canada has signed a four-year maintenance agreement with AirBorneo Airways for the PW127M engines on its ATR 72-500 turboprops. RTX announced the deal on 24 September 2026, with coverage running through 2030.

Scope of the Agreement

The agreement provides comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the PW127M. The engines will be maintained primarily at Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Singapore facility, which RTX describes as having recently expanded its turboprop MRO capabilities to support Asia-Pacific customers.

Financial terms and the number of engines were not disclosed.

The Operator

AirBorneo flies ATR 72-500 aircraft on the Rural Air Services network, which connects remote communities across East Malaysia. The airline also operates Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otters and has eight ATR-600 aircraft on order, according to the announcement.

Such networks depend on aircraft that can operate from short, remote airstrips and that return to service quickly. Engine downtime therefore translates directly into lost community access, which is why the airline stressed proximity to the shop. AirBorneo’s chief executive said having support based in Singapore puts engine maintenance and repairs close to home and returns aircraft to service faster.

The PW127M

The PW127M belongs to the PW100 engine family. RTX says the family has accumulated more than 200 million flight hours since its introduction over 40 years ago. The -127M is fitted to ATR 72-500 aircraft.

Regional Capacity in Asia-Pacific

An engine shop in Singapore places turboprop capacity close to operators whose routes depend on short-field regional types such as the ATR 72 and Twin Otter. For an airline like AirBorneo, a nearby shop shortens logistics and transit time compared with sending engines to a distant overhaul centre.

Why Fixed-Term Engine Support Suits Small Fleets

For a small operator, a few unplanned engine removals can strain finances and spares. A multi-year maintenance agreement with the engine manufacturer converts that uncertainty into a defined arrangement, with access to the OEM’s repair schemes, parts and technical support.

The PW127M also benefits from the commonality of the PW100 family, which means shops can draw on a deep base of repair experience when planning work on the engine.

The agreement runs for four years, through 2030, a relatively short term that fits an airline with a modest fleet and aircraft on order. As the eight ATR-600 aircraft arrive, AirBorneo may need to extend support arrangements to cover newer engines.