MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, a leading provider of aircraft engine maintenance, has opened its second test cell in Jinwan, marking a significant milestone for the company. The inauguration ceremony, attended by representatives from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), local government officials, and executives from China Southern and MTU Maintenance, celebrated the launch of the 60,000 lb thrust test cell. With approvals from CAAC, EASA, and FAA received in early June 2023, the facility is now operational and expected to reach an annual capacity of 260 tests. The test cell will primarily serve the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines, which power the Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
The test cell is part of the new facility, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai Co., Ltd. Jinwan Branch, located in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China. It is situated a short distance from MTU Maintenance Zhuhai’s existing facility and was built ahead of the rest of the site due to the strong demand for services. This demand has increased following the introduction of LEAP engines in 2019 and PW1100G-JM engines in 2020, in addition to the ongoing servicing of CFM56 and V2500 engines.