Shanghai, October 29, 2020——Honeywell（NYSE: HON) announced an efficient mode upgrade to its 131-9A auxiliary power unit (APU) for single-aisle Airbus aircraft. This efficient mode, enabled by a software key, is expected to extend the average APU flight time on the wing by 1,200 hours and will reduce fuel consumption by 2%.
The APU is an essential component of aircraft equipment, providing power and air conditioning to ensure passenger comfort when the aircraft is on the ground, and to provide air to the pilot when he is ready to start the main engine. The 131-9A is known for its reliability and low maintenance costs throughout its lifetime, resulting in significant annual fuel savings.
"Today, our airline customers are more focused on cost savings and operational efficiencies than ever before," said David Shilliday, vice president of engines and powertrains at Honeywell Aerospace Group. This upgrade is a simple one-time modification through software that will first be available to customers enrolled in our maintenance service program and then extended to 131-9A APU operators. This new upgrade will benefit our 131-9A APU customers, helping them improve utilization and efficiency to control current and future costs. ”
The upgrade is available for aircraft equipped with the 131-9A APU, including Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. Beginning in late October 2020, customers enrolled in the Honeywell Maintenance Service Program will receive this upgrade at no cost. Starting in January 2021, the upgrade will be extended to other operators of the 131-9A APU. For aircraft, upgrades can be made with regular scheduled maintenance without any additional downtime.
Honeywell's first APU was first put into service in 1950. To date, Honeywell has produced more than 100,000 APUs. Currently, more than 36,000 APUs in service are installed on more than 150 fixed-wing and rotary-wing models in the fields of feeder, official and commercial fields.
In 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 (Airbus A320) made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in New York, but fortunately all 155 passengers and crew on board survived. In this process, the Honeywell 131-9A APU installed on the aircraft played a key role. Since the introduction of the Model 131-9A APU in 1995, Honeywell has delivered more than 15,000 units of this model.