EVENDALE, OHIO - December 19, 2011 - Etihad Airways has selected the GEnx-1B engine to power 10 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and signed a 15-year OnPointTM solution agreement for the maintenance, repair and overhaul on these GEnx engines. Etihad also ordered two GE90-powered Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft. The list price for the GEnx and GE90 engines and OnPoint solution agreement are valued at more than $900 million over the life of the agreement.
This order follows Etihad's order for 35 GEnx-powered Boeing 787 Dreamliners that was made in 2009. The engines from this order are also covered by a 15-year OnPoint solution agreement.
"We are delighted to expand our successful partnership with GE by purchasing the GEnx and GE90 engines to support our recently announced order for an additional 12 Boeing aircraft. The GEnx engine is making exciting progress toward Dreamliner certification, and we look forward to being one of the earliest operators of the 787-9 fleet with these power plants," said James Hogan, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways. "Etihad Airways work with a number of suppliers seeking opportunities to reduce our noise and carbon emissions. The GE engines we have selected for our Boeing fleet reiterates our commitment to this objective."
"GE Aviation is pleased with Etihad's selection of GE90-powered Boeing
777 Freighters and the GEnx engine for its additional 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft," said David Joyce, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation. "The GEnx-1B engine selection reaffirms the carrier's dedication to the engine and we look forward to delivering this advanced technology engine along with the proven GE90 engines to Etihad."
Etihad Airways has achieved significant growth since it first took to the skies in November 2003, and today the airline maintains its position as the world's fastest-growing commercial airline. From its hub in Abu Dhabi, Etihad's fleet of 57 aircraft operates close to 1,000 flights a week, serving an international network of 67 destinations in 45 countries. Etihad has received a wide range of awards that reflect its position as the leading premium airline brand in the world, including "World's Leading Airline" at the World Travel Awards in 2009 and 2010.
About 1,300 GEnx engines are on order for 46 customers around the world, Based on proven GE90 architecture, the GEnx engine will succeed GE's CF6 engine and offer 15 percent improved fuel efficiency, which translates to 15 percent less CO2. The engine's innovative twin-annular pre-swirl
(TAPS) combustor dramatically reduces NOx gases as much as 55 percent below today's regulatory limits and other regulated gases as much as 90 percent. Based on the ratio of decibels to pounds of thrust, the GEnx is the quietest engine GE has produced due to the large, more efficient fan blades that operate at slower tip speed, resulting in about 30 percent lower noise levels. The GEnx is the world's only jet engine with both a front fan case and fan blades made of carbon fiber composites.
IHI Corporation of Japan, Avio SpA. of Italy, Volvo Aero of Sweden, MTU of Germany, TechSpace Aero of Belgium, Snecma (SAFRAN Group) of France and Samsung Techwin of Korea are revenue-sharing participants in the GEnx program.
Since the GE90-115B engine entered service in 2004, more than 700 GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-200LR, 777-300ER and 777 Freighter aircraft have been ordered by 65 customers throughout the world. In addition to an unrivaled thrust rating of 115,000 pounds, the GE90-115B offers the enhanced performance and efficiency of three-dimensional, aerodynamic (3D aero) compressor airfoils and wide-chord, swept fan blades. The GE90-115B performance and efficiency, coupled with the GE90-115B dual annular combustor technology, significantly limits fuel consumption and restricts hydrocarbon emissions to 40 percent of the level permitted by current international standard.
Snecma of France, Avio SpA of Italy and IHI Corporation of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program.
The GEnx and GE90-115B engine are part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio -- GE's commitment to implementing innovative, cost-effective technologies that enhance the customers' environmental and operating performance.
OnPoint solutions are customized service agreements tailored to the operational and financial needs of each customer for any size fleet.
These agreements are designed to help lower the customers' cost of ownership and maximize the use of their assets. Backed by GE's global support network, OnPoint services may include overhaul, on wing support, new and used-serviceable parts, component repair, technology upgrades, engine leasing, integrated systems support and diagnostics and integrated systems.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation. Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviation and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation.
