Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announces that Middle East Airlines (MEA) has selected the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan™ (GTF) engine to power 11 firm Airbus A320neo family aircraft. Pratt & Whitney will also provide Middle East Airlines with engine maintenance through an EngineWise™ service agreement.

The Lebanon-based airline currently operates nine V2500®-powered A320 family aircraft.

"Middle East Airlines consistently rejuvenates its fleet with the new generation of more fuel efficient and quieter aircraft," said Mohamed A. El-Hout, Chairman, MEA. "The new GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft provides both."

"We are thrilled with MEA's selection of the GTF engine for their A320neo fleet," said Rick Deurloo, senior vice president of sales, marketing and customer support at Pratt & Whitney. "We've been working with the airline and supporting them with our V2500 engines and we look forward to powering their continued success for years to come."

Since entering into service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent, to reduce NOx emissions by 50 percent to the regulatory standard and to lower the noise footprint by 75 percent.

The V2500 engine is offered through IAE International Aero Engines AG, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders are comprised of Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corporation; Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH; Japanese Aero Engines Corporation; and MTU Aero Engines GmbH.