Etihad Airways partners with GE Aviation on foam cleaning system

Etihad Airways and GE Aviation have partnered to launch GE’s 360 Foam Wash.  Image:  Etihad Airways

GE’s 360 Foam Wash is an alternative to the water wash method, and restores engine performance leading to reductions in fuel consumption. The process involves injecting a specially-formulated, proprietary solution that removes dust and dirt particles in the engine. The system is self-contained, allowing it to be used inside maintenance hangars or outdoors.

As one of the first airlines to partner with GE on the development of 360 Foam Wash, Etihad marked several milestones in the technology’s advancement. Etihad is the first airline to:

trial GE’s Foam Wash with a GE90 engine on wing;

receive a GE90 Foam Wash license; and

receive licenses for multiple GE engine programs (GE90 and GEnx).

The airline’s collaboration in the trial process was important to the product’s development, contributing to GE’s data collection and analysis, and improving reliability of 360 Foam Wash equipment.

“GE Aviation shares a commitment to develop innovative solutions in aircraft engine maintenance with the team at Etihad Airways,” said Jean Lydon-Rodgers, Vice President and General Manager of GE Aviation’s After Market Strategic Solutions. “We are learning more about how our engines operate and how they respond in hot and harsh environments than ever before, and our longstanding relationship with Etihad has been integral to that process. The research that has gone into producing GE’s 360 Foam Wash is a shining example of that.”