Fuel Savings and Emission Reductions Have Exceeded Expectations

Southwest Airlines signed a multi-year agreement to use the patented, environmentally friendly EcoPower(R) engine wash system offered by Pratt + Whitney Global Service Partners. Pratt + Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. company.

Southwest Airlines, the world's largest operator of CFM56-7B engines, will use EcoPower(R) to save more than $20 million at today's prices in fuel costs annually and eliminate 135 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Southwest is performing regular washes at airports in Orlando and Oakland, where Pratt & Whitney has established new service centers.

"We've seen amazing growth in our EcoPower(R) business as the result of sharply rising fuel costs, increasing environmental focus and proven success of our patented engine wash system," said Jim Keenan, senior vice president and general manager, Global Service Partners. "Southwest Airlines continues to take steps to be a leader in environmental stewardship, and adding EcoPower(R) to its strategy is good for the environment and the bottom line."

EcoPower(R) uses a closed-loop system with atomized water to wash aircraft engines, thus avoiding potential contaminant runoff. The patented system is more effective and much faster than traditional engine washing processes and extends time on-wing for operators of Pratt & Whitney, International Aero Engines, General Electric, Rolls-Royce and CFMI engines.

"Southwest is the most efficient airline in the world, and we continue to look for ways to maximize that efficiency," said Jim Sokol, Vice President of Maintenance & Engineering for Southwest AIRLINES. "We are extremely pleased with the results we've seen since beginning regular washes in April with Pratt & Whitney's EcoPower(R) Engine Wash System. The fuel savings and emission reductions have exceeded expectations."