Planes Will Be Powered By GE90s

Earlier this month, Aero-News reported on Qatar Airways' decision to firm up its year-old order for 20 Boeing 777s. The order was good news for Boeing... but it's also great news for GE Aircraft Engines, which will provide the 40 high-thrust GE90 engines to power the planes.

In a statement to ANN, GE reports the engine order valued at more than $750 million. Qatar Airways ordered 14 777-300ERs, powered by the GE90-115B; and six 777-200LR Worldliners, powered by the GE90-110B. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2007.

The order is part of a growing relationship between General Electric Company and Qatar Airways. The airline already operates a large fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft powered by the GE CF6 engine.

"There is a strong working relationship between the two companies," said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker. "GE works well with our maintenance teams with a goal of maximizing the performance of our CF6 fleet. We look forward to operating the GE90 as well."

GE says its GE90-115B holds the title of the world's most powerful jet engine, and is one of the most successful high-thrust jet engines in aviation history. The GE90-115B entered service in 2004 at an unprecedented 115,000 pounds (512 kN) thrust. Since then, the GE90-115B has accumulated more than 475,000 hours and 70,000 cycles with no engine removals and no in-flight shutdowns-- a remarkable achievement for a new jet engine.

Production of the GE90 engine family will more than double between 2005 and 2007--capitalizing on the extraordinary success of Boeing's 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 777-200LR aircraft. This has propelled production rates at GE's Durham, NC engine assembly facility from 73 GE90 engines in 2005 to more than 170 engines in 2007.

In total, 30 customers have ordered about 950 GE90 engines for the 777 family, including nearly 500 of the higher-thrust GE90-115B engines for the longer-range 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft.

Qatar Airways is one of the world's fastest growing airlines, operating a fleet of 47 aircraft flying to 70 destinations worldwide from its operational hub of Doha, capital of the State of Qatar. Recently named "Airline of the Year" at the annual Middle East and North Africa (MENA) travel awards, Qatar Airways is also one of only four airlines in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry monitoring agency.

FMI: www.geae.com, www.qatarairways.com