Dubai, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies and Engine Alliance today announced an agreement that will make the Mubadala Development Company affiliate a member of the Engine Alliance maintenance, repair and overhaul network provider for the GP7200 engines.
Having this capability in Abu Dhabi offers a significant benefit to prospective GP7200 operators in the Middle East, who will have convenient access to an Engine Alliance-branded, full-service repair and overhaul shop in the region. The Middle East is already the largest contributor to the GP7200 production backlog.
"As we implement our new growth strategy, we are looking to expand our product portfolio and build it around next-generation products and technologies that reinforce our position as the Middle East's foremost independent aviation technical services provider," said John Byers, CEO, Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies.
John continued, "Providing GP7200 capability at Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies is perfectly aligned with our strategy. Engine Alliance is a long-term partner with a strong regional customer base and a leading product that is derived from GE's and Pratt & Whitney's latest and best propulsion technologies."
"We are thrilled to have this agreement with Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies to cooperate on GP7200 engine MRO activity in this vitally important part of the world," said Engine Alliance President Jim Moravecek.
The two companies expect to finalise the transaction by the third quarter of 2009, and will start to work together immediately thereafter to get the Abu Dhabi facility fully certified and operational by 2012.
The Engine Alliance is a 50/50 joint venture of General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
The GP7200 is derived from two successful wide-body engine programs, the GE90 and the PW4000. It benefits from the two programs' latest, proven technologies and the lessons learned from more than 25 million flight hours of successful operation. Certified at 76,500 pounds (340 kN) of thrust, the engine has the capability to produce more than 81,500 pounds (363 kN) of thrust. The GP7200 is the quietest, most fuel-efficient engine for the A380, and its emissions are well below current and anticipated regulations.
The GP7200 is manufactured at GE and Pratt & Whitney, with GE assembling the core in Durham, NC (North Carolina), and Pratt & Whitney manufacturing the fan module, low pressure compressor and low pressure turbine. Final engine assembly is conducted at Pratt & Whitney's Engine Center in Middletown, CT (Connecticut). GP7000 Engine Program participants include SNECMA (France), Techspace Aero (Belgium) and MTU Aero Engines (Germany).
The GP7200 entered revenue service in August 2008, with the first Emirates A380. Since entering service, the GP7200-powered A380 has not had an in-flight shutdown and has demonstrated a departure reliability rate greater than 99.9%.
In addition to Emirates, the Engine Alliance GP7200 has been selected to power A380 aircraft for Air France, Korean Airlines, the International Lease Finance Company (ILFC), Etihad and Air Austral. Air France is scheduled to receive its first GP7200-powered A380 aircraft in October.