Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today, through its subsidiary Aviall, that it has extended its relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada by entering into an agreement, under which Aviall is responsible for distributing new PW980 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) spare parts to engine customers worldwide. APUs are gas turbine engines providing bleed air for cabin air conditioning, main engine start capability, electrical power and in-flight backup power.

Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW980 part is the largest APU in commercial airline service, designed specifically for the Airbus A380 wide-body jet liner fleet.

"Aviall's close relationships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are invaluable in ensuring our customers receive the highest quality products," said Eric Strafel, Aviall President and CEO. "The continued expansion of our relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada and addition of the new APU spare parts to our product scope helps meet the growing needs of our customers and the industry."

Aviall operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, supporting both commercial and defense business units within Boeing. Aviall is a leading solutions provider of aftermarket supply-chain management services for the aerospace and defense industries.

Headquartered in Dallas, Aviall is the world's largest provider of new aviation parts and related aftermarket services. The company markets and distributes products for more than 240 manufacturers and offers approximately 2 million catalog items from 40 customer service centers in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

From July 1, Aviall will be part of Boeing Global Services, a new dedicated services business focused on the needs of global defense, space and commercial customers.