Singapore Airlines Chooses Hamilton Sundstrand APU Maintenance Support

SINGAPORE , Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems announced today that it has signed a maintenance support agreement with Singapore Airlines, which includes an asset management plan for the airlines' Airbus A380 aircraft. Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems is the Auxiliary Power Systems division of Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Beginning Oct. 28 , Singapore Airlines will place the first of 19 A380s into service. The full fleet is scheduled to be in service within five years. Each will be equipped with the Pratt & Whitney Canada/Hamilton Sundstrand PW980, the largest commercial Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) ever produced. Under the terms of this agreement, Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems will perform all necessary shop maintenance as well as provide the spares support for the fleet for a period of up to 17 years.

Singapore Airlines is the launch customer of the A380. The airline will take delivery of its first aircraft on Oct. 15 during a delivery ceremony at Airbus' Toulouse , France , facility.

"Hamilton Sundstrand is proud to partner with Singapore Airlines on such a comprehensive maintenance agreement," Dave Gitlin , Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems vice president and general manager, said. "This agreement provides long-term support with assurances that operating costs are predictable and not subject to annual variations. This is the most comprehensive support offering that Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems has committed to, and we are pleased that Singapore Airlines is the launch customer for this type of contract. We are excited to be the supplier of choice for these services to Singapore Airlines."

At approximately 1,800 horsepower, the PW980 is the largest commercial APU ever produced. The APU provides electric and pneumatic power for aircraft systems and cabin air conditioning while on the ground and in flight, if required. It is also used to start the aircraft's main engines.

With 2006 revenues of $5 billion, Hamilton Sundstrand employs approximately 18,000 people worldwide and is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. Among the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, the company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. It also is a major supplier for international space programs.

United Technologies Corp., of Hartford , Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

Contact: Dan Coulom

SOURCE Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems