GEOFF THOMAS
At a show decidedly short on major orders, GE announced yesterday that it has signed contracts worth $309 million with Indian operator Jet Airways and Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA).
Jet Airways, based in Mumbai, placed 20 firm orders and 20 options for GE CF34-8 Growth engines for its new Embraer 175 regional jet aircraft. The contract is worth more than $120 million.
Derivatives
The Indian operator is the launch customer for the Embraer 175, with deliveries beginning in June 2004 and continuing through 2007. The 175 is the larger derivative of the Embraer 170 which is powered by the same engines.
The CF34-8 Growth engines, capable of producing maximum takeoff thrust of 14,510lb (64.5kN), are designed to power twin-engined airliners scheduled to enter revenue service over the next two years: the CDF34-8C5 for the 86-passenger Bombardier CRJ900 and the CF34-8E for the 70-plus passenger Embraer 170/175.
Both engine models are derivatives of the CF34-8C1 which entered service in early 2001 and now powers the CRJ700 aircraft of six airlines.
ANA's firm order is for nine Boeing 767-300ER aircraft powered by GE CF6-80C2B6F engines, valued at more than $169 million.
The Japanese operator has the largest fleet of CF6-80C2-powered B-767s and -747s in Asia and is one of the largest CF6 customers in the world. The new engines are being delivered in 2002 and 2003.
Versions of the same engine were recently selected to power the four B767 tanker transports which are operated by the Japanese Defence Agency.
President
As well as the B767, GE's CF6-80C2 engines power the Airbus A300 and A310, Boeing B747 and the MD-11, including Air Force One, the B747 that serves the President of the USA.
After more than 30 years' service, the CF6 family of engines is now flying on more than 3,000 aircraft for 170 customers worldwide, achieving 230 million flight hours – a figure that is increasing at a rate of a million flight hours each month.
Source: Flight Daily News