PHOENIX, April 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- IAE International Aero Engines AG has awarded Avianca the Pure-Vdesignation for its V2500® engines. Avianca (as a result of its merger with Taca El Salvador) currently has 33 V2500-powered A320ceo family aircraft in service.

"We rely on our V2500 engines to provide the reliability our customers expect from a world-class airline," said Fabio Villegas, Avianca chief executive officer. "We are proud to have the Pure-V designation as it highlights the superior condition we keep our engines in."

"Avianca is a brand that stands for superior service, and it is an honor to have Pure-V V2500 engines power their fleet of A320ceos," said Matthew Bromberg, president, Pratt & Whitney Aftermarket. "They are constantly moving ahead and growing, and we look forward to a long relationship with them."

A Pure-V designated engine contains IAE-approved parts and repairs throughout the entire engine. The program was created to provide a designation IAE customers' engines that have been maintained to OEM standards, for example those covered by a Fleet Hour Agreement (FHA), and to recognize the superior value of these engines. According to IAE's records, approximately 60 percent of the V2500 fleet qualifies as Pure-V.

IAE's Pure-V engine program is designed to help operators and lessors enhance residual values for their V2500 engines. The program rewards operators who maintain OEM build standard engines with extended warranties on parts. IAE can also provide a customized conversion kit for engines that do not currently meet the Pure-V standard.

Avianca is the commercial brand that represents the Latin American airlines integrated in Avianca Holdings S.A. Its workforce of over 19,000 employees is known for its world-class service. The Avianca airlines, specialized in air cargo and passenger transportation, serve 100 direct destinations in 26 countries throughout the American and European continents with its modern fleet of 155 short-, medium-, and long-haul aircraft. Through its membership with Star Alliance, Avianca offers the possibility to connect to more than 1,200 destinations in 195 countries.

IAE is a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders are comprised of Pratt & Whitney (NYSE: UTX), Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines. To date, more than 6,000 V2500® engines have been delivered to close to 200 customers around the world.

Pure-V™ is a trademark of United Technologies Corporation – Pratt & Whitney and is licensed to IAE International Aero Engines AG

For more information on Pure-V™ visit: http://www.pure-v-engine.com
IAE International Aero Engines AG: www.i-a-e.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/IAEengines
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IAEengines

Heather Waldron
860-709-1368
heather.waldron@pw.utc.com

SOURCE International Aero Engines