May Power As Many As Eight Planes

Air Pacific has selected General Electric's GEnx engines to power its five firm and three option Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Delivery of the engines will begin in 2011. The engine deal is valued at more than $100 million list price.

"GE is very proud that Air Pacific has selected the GEnx engine to power its new Boeing 787 fleet," said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO of GE Aviation. "The GEnx engine is performing exceptionally well in our testing program, and we look forward to supporting Air Pacific before and after the engines enter service in 2011. Air Pacific is a key carrier in the South Pacific and a terrific GE customer. This decision will extend the excellent relationship that began in 1983 and continues to this day."

"After extensive and in-depth evaluation and negotiation, we have selected the General Electric manufactured GEnx engine due to its superior operating performance and improved environmental impact across the Air Pacific network," said John Campbell, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for Air Pacific. "The GEnx-powered Boeing 787-9 is 20 percent more fuel efficient than our current Boeing 767 aircraft, will produce up to 20 percent less carbon dioxide, 40 percent less nitrous oxide and have a noise footprint that is 50 percent lower than the Boeing 767 aircraft."

Boeing selected the GEnx in 2004 as one of two engine options for its composite-bodied airliner, which is due to make its first flight later this year -- powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 turbofans. The GEnx, which sports composite fan blades, is now undergoing flight testing.

FMI: www.geae.com, www.boeing.com, www.airpacific.com