Quebec-based Pratt & Whitney Canada has won a huge contract to provide a new breed of "greener" engines for Cessna's new business jet, the company said Wednesday.

The Longueuil-based company said Cessna's Citation Columbus business aircraft will be powered by P&WC's PW810 — the first model in a new family of quieter, cleaner, more fuel-efficient engines.

Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW810 engine has been selected by Cessna to power its new Citation Columbus business aircraft.
(Marketwire Photo/Pratt & Whitney Canada)

"We are very pleased that Cessna has selected P&WC for its large-cabin jet, and we are equally excited to be growing our product offering with this all-new, greener engine family for customers in the large, long-range business aircraft segment," said Alain Bellemare, Pratt & Whitney Group executive vice president.

The company did not detail the specific size of the Cessna contract, but in a statement, Bellemare said "this win … represents a multi-billion [dollar] opportunity for us in potential orders over the life of the program."

Bellemare said the contract is the biggest in the company's history and would create hundreds of jobs across Canada. He said the new assembly work would be spread aroundamong Pratt &Whitney Canada's facilities in Longueuil, Lethbridge and Mississauga.

The company said the new engine gives better fuel economy and "improved environmental friendliness."

P&WC said the engine beats international emissions standards by up to 50 per cent for nitrous oxide and 35 per cent for carbon monoxide emissions. 

Pratt & Whitney Canada is a United Technologies company. It employs 7,000 people across Canada — with 5,500 in Longueuil.

(With files from the Canadian Press)