IAE International Aero Engines AG (IAE) has successfully tested the V2500 turbofan using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at MTU Maintenance Hannover in Germany.
IAE is a multinational consortium comprised of Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines AG.
The engine test runs used 100% Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosine (HEFA-SPK) fuel supplied by Neste. HEFA-SPK is produced by hydrotreating renewable raw materials, such as waste oils or fats, into an aviation turbine fuel.
IAE noted that there are nearly 3,000 V2500-powered aircraft in service today. Applications include the A320ceo family of narrowbody jetliners and the Embraer C-390 military transport. A version of the engine also powers the McDonnell-Douglas MD-90-30 airliner, though Delta Air Lines retired the last MD-90 in airline service several years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic downturn.
Airlines are gradually replacing their fleets of older V2500-powered A320ceo family aircraft with the new, re-engined A320neo family. New production of the V2500 engine is limited to the C390 program, and we expect demand for the engine to be a tiny fraction of what it once was. However, the ability to use SAF in the A320ceo fleet will allow airlines to see some gains in net carbon emissions if use of the fuel became widespread in coming years. The A320ceo fleet will shrink over time, but the type will remain in commercial service in large numbers for at least the next 15-20 years.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Douglas Royce is currently co-editor of four of Forecast International's Market Intelligence Services: Civil Aircraft Forecast, Military Aircraft Forecast, Rotorcraft Forecast, and Aviation Gas Turbine Forecast. As such, he plays a key role in many important projects that involve market sizing and forecasting for various segments of the world aerospace industry, as well as demand for related systems.
