Malaysia Airlines said Monday it has awarded a $680 million deal to U.S. jet engine maker Pratt and Whitney to supply 34 engines for its 17 new Airbus planes. The flag carrier has ordered up to 25 A330-300 and four A330-200F planes worth $4.5 billion at list price, to be delivered from 2011 through to 2015 to serve growing markets in Asia, Australia and the Middle East. It has also ordered up to 55 Boeing 737-800s and six Airbus A380s. In a statement, the airline said the new Pratt and Whitney engines for its 15 passenger planes and two freighters will boost its aircraft performance, giving it greater levels of economic efficiency, with lower fuel burn and maintenance costs. Its current fleet of aircraft are also powered by Pratt and Whitney engines. Malaysia Airlines and the jet engine maker inked a pact in December to set up a joint venture facility for engine repair in Malaysia, the Associated Press reported.
