Etihad Airways Finalises GEnx-1B engine selection and OnPoint Solutions agreement

Posted on 21 July 2010 in Technology & Space

Etihad Airways has finalised the purchase of 78 GEnx-1B engines to power its 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft order announced during the Paris Airshow in 2009.

The total value of the engine order is worth $1.8 billion (USD) list price and the aircraft delivery is scheduled to begin in 2015.
 
Additionally, Etihad Airways has signed a 15-year OnPointSM solutions agreement with GE Aviation for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of these engines. The agreement is worth more than $2.5 billion (USD) over the life of the contract.
 
Etihad Airways chief executive officer, James Hogan, said: “We are pleased to be working with GE for the delivery of these advanced GEnx engines, which offer cost optimisation and fuel efficiency for Etihad’s Dreamliner aircraft.  One of the key criteria in the selection of our engines is environmental performance, and the reduced emissions of the GEnx engines will complement our fleet, which is one of the youngest and most environmentally efficient in the world.
 
“Furthermore, as part of our long-term partnership with GE, the OnPoint maintenance agreement will enable technology and skills transfer to our maintenance partner, Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies, for these engine types.”
 
David Joyce, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation, said: “We are extremely proud to be associated with an airline with such significant growth.
 
“Etihad Airways already operates GE90-powered Boeing 777 fleet, and the selection of the GEnx engine re-affirms the airline’s confidence in the quality of GE products, backed by world-class product support for many years to come.”
 
Etihad Airways has achieved significant growth since it first took to the skies in November 2003, now operating to 64 destinations around its network. In 2008, Etihad announced the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history for up to 205 aircraft due for delivery by 2020, including 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights.
 
With more than 1,100 engines sold to date, the GEnx is the fastest-selling engine in GE's history. Based on the proven architecture of the GE90, the GEnx will succeed GE's CF6 engine, offering the GEnx will offer 15 percent improved fuel efficiency, which translates into 15 percent less CO2. It is designed to stay on wing 30 percent longer than the CF6, while using 30 percent fewer parts, greatly reducing maintenance.

The GEnx emissions will be as much as 95 percent below current regulatory limits. The engine will also be the quietest one that GE has produced, based on a pound-of-thrust-per-decibel ratio. As the world's only jet engine with both a front fan case and fan blades made of carbon fiber composites, the GEnx will also have greater durability, better performance retention as well as lower operating costs than comparable engines in its class.

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