Air New Zealand has selected a next generation Pratt and Whitney engine for its new Airbus fleet in a move that it says will help secure the future of its Christchurch Engine Centre.

The airline said the centre is set for a period of strong growth after this morning announcing it had selected the PurePower PW1100G-JM for its 13 new Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft which are due to join its fleet from 2017.

Air New Zealand chief operations officer Bruce Parton said that means the centre will be one of the first facilities in the world with the capability to support the repair and overhaul of the new generation engines.