WASHINGTON, D.C. – Qatar Airways today announced a new order for GE9X engines as part of its global launch order of up to 50 Boeing 777-8 Freighters. The commitment includes 30 GE9X engines and four GE90-115B engines, plus GE TrueChoice™ services. This order is in coordination of Qatar Airways’ agreement for 34 firm 777-8 orders with an additional 16 purchase right options, and an additional order of two Boeing 777 Freighters.
The total value of the order with GE is more than U.S.$6.8 billion list price, including spare engines and a TrueChoice™ services agreement to cover the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the engines.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “With our status as the world’s largest air freight carrier, Qatar Airways has ambitious plans for the future of its cargo operations.
“As operators of the Boeing 777 family, including the global launch customer of Boeing’s 777-8 Freighter aircraft, we are delighted to have GE as our partners and these contracts for GE engines further cement the strong relationship between Qatar Airways and GE.
“We are confident that Qatar Airways’ focus to drive towards a sustainable future will be very much supported by the efficiency of the GE9X engines.”
“GE Aviation has great history and proven track record of powering freighter-dedicated aircraft,” said GE Aviation CEO John Slattery. “We are proud to continue building our relationship with Qatar Airways and play a significant role in their growth with this order of Boeing 777-8 Freighter and 777 Freighter aircraft.”
The GE9X engine helps meet GE Aviation’s commitment to a more sustainable aviation industry by introducing the latest generations of heat-resistant Ceramic Matrix Composites materials, additively-manufactured parts and lean burn combustion that help improve fuel efficiency. It is the world’s most powerful and most fuel-efficient turbofan. The GE9X offers the lowest NOx emissions in its class[i], and is the quietest GE engine ever produced[ii]. Like all GE commercial engines, both the GE9X and GE90 are compatible with any approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Incorporating a suite of propulsion technologies unique to GE, the GE9X offers up to 10 percent lower specific fuel consumption compared to the engine it replaces. It builds on the heritage of the pioneering GE90 engine and offers a combination of power and efficiency unmatched in the freighter market.
GE Aviation has powered essential cargo operations worldwide for decades, including Boeing’s line of dedicated freighters. This legacy continues with Boeing’s newest, the 777-8 Freighter, powered exclusively by the GE9X engine.
The GE90 engine family is the exclusive powerplant on Boeing’s 777-300ER, 777-200LR, and 777 Freighter aircraft. Since its entry into service in 1995, the GE90 engine has accumulated more than 108 million flight hours and has been among the most reliable in the industry with a world class dispatch reliability rate of 99.98 percent.
IHI Corporation, Safran Aircraft Engines, Safran Aero Boosters and MTU Aero Engines AG are participants in the GE9X engine program.
[i] achieving 55% below current NOx regulatory requirements
[ii] pounds of thrust per decibel
* TrueChoice is a trademark of General Electric Company
About Qatar Airways:
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).
Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline’s home and hub, was also announced as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. HIA has been steadily rising in the ‘World's Best Airports’ rankings since the start of its operations in 2014.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading international air cargo carrier is based in Doha, State of Qatar. It serves a global network of more than 60 freighter destinations and 140 passenger destinations utilising freighters, belly-hold passenger flights, passenger freighters and mini freighters. The airline’s freighter fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, two Boeing 747-4 freighters, 26 Boeing 777 Freighters, one Airbus 310 freighter and two B777-300ER mini freighters. It also has an extensive road feeder service (RFS) network.
About GE Aviation
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 and YouTube.
For further information, contact: Nick Hurm 513.484.4450 [email protected]