UTC Aerospace Systems Selected by Virgin Atlantic Airways to Provide Wheels and Carbon Brakes on Boeing 787-9 Fleet

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- PARIS AIR SHOW -- UTC Aerospace Systems has been selected by Virgin Atlantic Airways to supply the wheels, carbon brakes and MRO services for its fleet of 16 new Boeing 787-9 aircraft.  The company will provide the equipment through its Wheels & Brakes business in Troy, Ohio.  The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in September 2014.  UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The 787-9 carbon brakes use proprietary DURACARB® carbon heat sink material.  The DURACARB® carbon provides exceptional brake performance and a 35 percent brake life advantage over competitive products, producing significant cost savings for operators.

 "We are pleased to provide both our 787 wheel and brake equipment and our MRO services to Virgin Atlantic.," said Cory May, vice president of commercial programs, Wheels & Brakes.  "We have enjoyed a great working relationship with Virgin over the last 19 years and look forward to extending that with our support of this important addition to their fleet.

Philip Maher, Directory of Technical Operations for Virgin Atlantic Airways stated, "The 787 represents a leap forward in aircraft technology, and as the first UK operator of the 787-9 we are delighted to be able to select the UTC Aerospace Systems wheel and brake products. This selection was made following an exhaustive review of technical and commercial attributes, and we are positive that our confidence in the UTC Aerospace Systems' product will be borne out in service, once we take delivery of our first aircraft in September 2014."

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. is headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex, England, near Gatwick Airport.  It operates over 40 Airbus and Boeing wide-bodied jets to over 36 destinations worldwide between the United Kingdom and North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.  It is the UK's second-largest long-haul airline and is continually recognized for providing customers with a premium travel experience.

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries.  It is a worldwide leader in electro-mechanical aircraft brakes with over fifteen years of experience.  UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.

For updates from United Technologies Corp's aerospace businesses visit www.utc.com  or follow @UTC on Twitter.

SOURCE UTC Aerospace Systems