DUBAI -- Qatar Airways has chosen the GEnx engine to power its 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft as well as ordered five Boeing 777 Freighters powered by GE90-115B engines.
The GEnx order is valued at more than $800 million (USD) list price. The order for the GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777 Freighters follows orders for two Boeing 777 freighter, 14 Boeing 777-300ER and six Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, which are also powered by the GE90-115B engines. The combined list price of the GE90-115B engines ordered for all 27 Boeing 777 aircraft is more than $1.2 billion list price.
Qatar Airways has also opted for a 15-year OnPointSM solution agreement for the maintenance and overhaul of the GEnx and GE90-115B engines. The OnPoint solution agreement is valued at $2.5 billion.
"Qatar Airways has been an important GE customer, operating CFM56 and CF6, and soon the GE90 engines," said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO of GE Aviation. "This GEnx order and the additional GE90 engine order will enhance our continued cooperation and support to Qatar Airways as it implements its aggressive growth plans."
Based in Doha, Qatar Airways has been recognized as one of fastest growing airlines in the world. Since it began operations 10 years ago, Qatar Airways has made great strides to become one of the best airlines in the skies today flying a modern fleet of 58 aircraft to 80 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Far East and North America.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: "Today's announcement by Qatar Airways to bring the Boeing 787 Dreamliner into its fleet is a significant move forward as we grow our business well into the next decade."
"I am also pleased to announce that we have chosen the GEnx engines to power our new aircraft as it provides the best optimum solution for our operational needs. Qatar Airways has enjoyed a long association with GE Aviation and looks forward to a prosperous partnership for years to come as we enter an extremely exciting period in our growth plans."
Based on the highly successful GE90 architecture, the GEnx engine is one of the most fuel-efficient and lowest emissions jet engines ever. The GEnx engine will power both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the 747-8 Intercontinental. It will succeed GE's CF6 family, the best-selling engine on wide-body aircraft. More than 1,000 GEnx engines have been sold to 33 customers, making it the fastest-selling large engine in GE Aviation history.
The GEnx completed its flight test program this summer on GE's 747 flying test-bed, which validated the GEnx-1B engine's performance in real world flight conditions. Certification tests for vibration, emission, bird ingestions and fan blade containment were also completed with very positive results.
IHI of Japan, TechSpace Aero of Belgium, Avio SpA. of Italy, Volvo Aero of Sweden and Samsung Techwin of Korea are revenue-sharing participants in the GEnx program.
The world's largest and most powerful engine, the GE90-115B, celebrated one million successful hours of flight in May. The engine is one the quietest based on per pound of thrust with superior fuel burn and low overall emissions due in part to its improved combustor. The combustor technology emits no more than 40 percent of the hydrocarbons that will be allowed by 2008 international standards. Almost 200 GE90-115B engines are in service with 10 operators around the world.
Snecma of France, Avio SpA. of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program.
The GEnx and GE90 engines are part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio--GE's commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance.
OnPoint solutions are flexible, long-term commitments designed to meet customers' unique engine services needs. Backed by GE's world-class support, these solutions help lower our customers' cost-of-ownership and improve the use of their assets. Available OnPoint services include overhaul, on wing support, new and used serviceable parts, component repair, technology upgrades, engine leasing and diagnostics.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.
Qatar Airways is one of only five airlines in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways' cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fifth year running in 2007 and Best First Class in the world following a survey of more than 12 million passengers.
Averaging 35 per cent growth year on year, Qatar Airways carried more than 8 million passengers during the 2006/07 financial year.
SMOnPoint is a service mark of General Electric Company.