MTU Aero not hurt yet by oil price -CEO in paper

FRANKFURT, May 26 (Reuters) - MTU Aero Engines (MTXGn.DE), a parts supplier to jet engine manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney (UTX.N), fears the rising price of oil is hurting its customers, but Chief Executive Egon Behle said it has so far left his business untouched.

"The higher kerosene prices certainly increase demand for more fuel efficient engines, but we cannot forget that it also is a drag on the air traffic," he told Die Welt in an interview to be published on Monday.

"Some airlines have already gone bankrupt, others could postpone the purchase of new planes since they don't have the money."

MTU Aero is working on an engine with Pratt & Whitney that would cut carbon dioxide emissions -- directly related to fuel consumption -- by 15 percent. It is expected to go into serial production in 2013.

When asked whether the oil price hurts, Behle said: "We don't see that at the moment. If the kerosene price were to climb further though, then our maintenance business could hurt (since) airlines could then delay overhaul work on their planes."

Speaking about the continued delays in the Airbus 380 (EAD.PA) superjumbo programme, Behle said he did not know whether the aircraft deliveries affected were going to be equipped with GP7000 engines, for which it manufactures parts.

"It's clear that if fewer A380s are delivered, that means fewer jet engines and sales," he said.

(Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)