Allison Lampert

(Reuters) -Pratt & Whitney’s improved version of the geared turbofan engine used by Airbus SE (OTC:)’s strong-selling A320neo jet family will help build backlog and preserve delivery share, the engine maker said on Thursday.

Raytheon Technologies (NYSE) Pratt stated that it would also be able to meet the needs of Airbus, its biggest commercial customer. Airbus has requested suppliers to look at rates up as high as 75 per month in 2025 due to strong demand for single-aisle aircraft as the pandemic subsides.

GTF Advantage Update has a 4% boost in thrust and an 1% increase in fuel burn. It can also be more reliable between maintenance appointments. Pratt claims that the GTF update will make the A320neo family’s most powerful engine when it goes into service in January 2024.

“This is not a paper engine,” Tom Pelland, Pratt’s senior vice president of GTF engines told reporters at the company’s media day in Hartford, Connecticut. “This is an engine we’re testing today.”

This development was reported by Reuters Wednesday. It comes at a time when airlines face pressure to reduce their emissions and engine manufacturers are looking for longer-term advancements like hybrid-electric propulsion, which will improve fuel economy.

Pratt is facing rival CFM International co-owned with France Safran (PA: ) SA, U.S.-based General Electric (NYSE:) This is the market leader in A320 programs.

“We expect to continue to grow our backlog and keep our delivery share in about the same or better place,“ said Rick Deurloo, Pratt’s chief commercial officer.

Safran, a French manufacturer of jet engines, stated earlier in the day that the worst was over. However they cautioned against long-term air traffic as Airbus continues to fight over increased production.

Olivier Andries, CEO, stated that Safran was committed to building enough engines for Airbus to reach a target of 65 A320s per month by 2023. This is an increase of some 50% over crisis-hit levels. However, it was still too early to make any commitments to build more.

Asked about Airbus’ plans for 2023, Pratt & Whitney president Christopher Calio told reporters, “We’re going to meet the demands of our customer.”