Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has formed a joint venture with China Aviation Engine Holdings, which will operate in Zhuzhou in China’s Hunan province. The joint venture, to be known as Zhuzhou Tonghui Aero Engine Maintenance Company (AEMC), will offer in-country maintenance, repair and overhaul for civil-certified PT6A- and PW100-series engines.

“China is obviously a key emerging market for P&WC, and AEMC will allow us to provide PT6A and PW100 MRO services quickly and efficiently in the country,” said P&WC president John Saabas, who attended a joint-venture signing ceremony in Beijing in September. “AEMC will enable operators of PT6A- and PW100-powered aircraft in China to benefit from in-country engine services–from line maintenance to overhaul–providing them with faster turnaround times and lower costs.”

Pratt & Whitney Canada, which has more than 47,000 engines in service with operators in 198 countries. Saabas spoke about the joint venture at NBAA 2011 in Las Vegas.