MONTREAL - Airbus has partnered with Pratt & Whitney to flight-test cost-cutting turbofan engines to be used on Bombardier's (TSX:BBD.B) planned CSeries aircraft.

Conneticut-based Pratt & Whitney said Airbus's desire to evaluate the engine's technology validates Bombardier's decision to make it the exclusive engine for its planned 100-to 149-seat aircraft.

"It's great news for Bombardier," Pratt & Whitney spokesman Matthew Perra said in an interview.

"It shows that one of the world's biggest aircraft makers is interested in the same technology that they chose as the exclusive power for their next generation jets for Bombardier's CSeries."

Bombardier, which was recently notified of the partnership with Airbus, will have full access to flight-test data. Testing is set to take place over a couple months later this year at Airbus's testing facility in Toulouse, France.

Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan engine promises improved fuel efficiency, lower environmental emissions, reduced noise and better operating costs.

The engine and lighter composite materials planned for the CSeries are expected to produce 20 to 25 per cent better fuel efficiency than today's aircraft, Perra said.

Bombardier's board is expected to be give the green light later this year to launch the CSeries.

The flight testing of the engine will use an Airbus-owned A340 flying test bed. The engine is targeted for use on single-aisle aircraft ranging in size between a regional jet and replacements for Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.

Pratt & Whitney said the test program doesn't imply that any business arrangement will materialize with Airbus.

Bombardier and Mitsubishi recently selected the Pratt engine to power its new regional jets. Both aircraft are slated to enter into service in 2013.

Bombardier shares lost nine cents to $6.60 in trading Tuesday afternoon on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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