Southwest Airlines Engine Washing

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Southwest Airlines Co. has signed a multiyear agreement to use an environmentally friendly engine-washing system in an effort to save on fuel and cut carbon emissions.

The Dallas-based carrier is using the EcoPower system offered by East Hartford, Conn.-based flight technology firm Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but Pratt & Whitney said Southwest's annual fuel-cost savings could exceed $20 million. The airline also stands to cut 135 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually as a result.

The arrangement with Pratt & Whitney comes as Southwest, along with the rest of the airline industry, faces record-high fuel prices that have led many to trim capacity and levy fees on travelers. Southwest in the first quarter reported a 63 percent drop in profit to $34 million, partially driven by a 34 percent hike in fuel and oil costs compared with the same period of 2007.

Southwest said it is performing regular washes at airports in Orlando, Fla., and Oakland, Calif., where Pratt & Whitney has established new service centers. The EcoPower equipment uses a closed-loop system with atomized water to wash aircraft engines, avoiding contaminant runoff, Pratt & Whitney said. The patented system is considered more effective and faster than traditional engine-washing processes.

Pratt & Whitney parent United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) employs more than 225,000 worldwide and in 2007 recorded $4.22 billion in profit on $54.8 billion in revenue.

Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: June 16, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Author: NutsAboutSouthwest

Length: 00:03:15
Rating: 4.68
Views: 16025

Tags: Southwest Airlines Engine Wash Airplane Clean Eco Green Environment Emissions

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Video Comments:
NKS969 (November 20, 2008 at 4:53 pm)
When's SWA coming to Atlantic City Bob M.? LGA is a BIG mistake Bob. Don't you know that all the JetBlue LGA and Kennedy diverts go to ACY when it starts to sprinkle or at the HINT of flurries? Don't you KNOW that Atlantic City Intl is building a NEW $92,000,000.00 terminal? And nobody to use it! Atlantic City just completed a six story parking garrage AND NOBODY USES IT!!!!! There's only lil' ole Spirit Airlines that flys into Atlantic City! Can you believe that?! Jump on this Bob!
airnational (November 14, 2008 at 6:17 pm)
al gore tree hugers
CerebralWTF (November 15, 2008 at 1:09 am)
When a business implements something like this, it usually has mor to do with saving money than "being green". Besides, without Al Gore's tree huggers, the whole world would look like a crappy city in no time. They keep a good balance.
nkx1 (October 22, 2008 at 6:07 pm)
Pretty boring. Pretty boring.
dmhorus (October 7, 2008 at 11:21 am)
I build 737's in Renton. Its nice to see them in action. I wonder how old this plane is? I cant see the tail number so I dont know if its one I worked on or not. I see the updated winglets so its definitely a new one or a refit.
905634 (October 12, 2008 at 1:04 am)
AWESOME! My uncle works for Boeing in Everett, i have always wanted to talk to someone who builds 737s. Did you work on plane N742SW "Nolan Ryan Express"
dmhorus (October 12, 2008 at 5:07 am)
Theres no way to be sure. I work on at least 2 different planes a day so theres no way to remember every plane number Ive been on. Plus, any exterior details like paint and decals get put on long after my job is done. All I can tell you is Ive been working on 737's for the last 2 years so any of them made in that time have been worked on by me. Other than that, I cant be sure.
cjracer1000 (November 13, 2008 at 10:19 pm)
sweeet
curexcult (November 28, 2008 at 2:38 am)
it looks like a 700 to me. if you stop it at 0:46 you can just see the bottom of the first number.

also looks like this is filmed at oakland seeing as that looks nothing like the terminal here in orlando. and ive gotten to watch them do this before its actually pretty interesting to see the first time.
marcvie9 (October 3, 2008 at 1:09 pm)
engine washing yes!