BANGKOK, THAILAND -- Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) held a special ceremony today honoring entry into service of its first GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft leased from BOC Aviation. THAI operates five leased Boeing 777-300ERs, and this new Boeing 777-300ER is one of eight that are being leased from BOC Aviation. In addition to these leased aircraft, THAI holds six GE90-115B-powerd Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on order. In total, THAI will operate 19 GE90-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
"We are delighted to expand our successful partnership with GE," said Chokchai Panyayong, executive vice president of Strategy and Business Development and acting president, THAI Airways. "The GE90 engines, with their proven reliability and efficiency, will help us provide superior service to our customers."
"THAI's commitment to GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft demonstrates the carrier's trust and confidence in this engine-aircraft combination," said Bill Millhaem, general manager of the GE90 Program at GE Aviation. "The GE90-115B engine has proven its outstanding performance and fuel efficiency since entering service in 2004, and we look forward to supporting THAI's growing GE90 engine fleet."
THAI is the national flag carrier and the largest airline in Thailand. It flies to 72 destinations in 35 countries with its fleet of more than 90 aircraft. The airline operates GE's CF6 and GE90 engines along with CFM56* engines.
GE Aviation and THAI have worked together on their commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance. Earlier this year, THAI took delivery of the GE ClearCore engine wash system that could save the airline more than $4 million (USD) annually if utilized across its aircraft fleet. The GE90-115B engine and the ClearCore engine wash system are part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio.
At 115,000 pounds of thrust, the GE90-115B engine includes such performance-enhancing features as three-dimensional aerodynamic (3-D aero) compressor and wide-chord, swept composite fan blades for greater efficiency. The dual annular combustor emits no more than 40 percent of the hydrocarbons allowed by today's international standards.
More than 1,500 GE90-115B engines have been ordered by customers for their Boeing 777-300ERs, 777-200LRs and 777 Freighters with GE delivering the 1,000th engine earlier this year. Last year, the GE90 engine experienced its most successful year and accumulated airline and freighter operator commitments for 400 engines. This surpassed the 2007 record of 250 engine commitments in a year.
Snecma of France, Avio SpA of Italy and IHI Corporation of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet, turboprop and turboshaft engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings.
*CFM56 engines are a trademark of CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE and Snecma (Safran Group).