October 25, 2004 -- EVENDALE, Ohio - Air France Industries, one of Europe's leading airlines MRO Division, is setting up a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center for the GP7200 engine, the best-selling powerplant for the Airbus A380.
The center, to be located in Paris, will serve as a repair facility for the Engine Alliance, a 50/50 joint venture between General Electric Company and Pratt & Whitney, which is developing the GP7200 engine. The Air France facility will work as a part of the Engine Alliance MRO network.
Air France, which has ordered GP7200-powered A380s, is expected to have GP7200 service capability in 2007. The Engine Alliance will provide Air France with a comprehensive technology package. Air France Industries and the Engine Alliance will join forces to offer customer and product support services, supply chain management, logistics for component repair as well as LRU support.
As part of the Engine Alliance's MRO network, Air France's proximity to A380 operators will help to reduce operating and overhaul costs and resolve logistics issues.
"This agreement creates a winning combination of Engine Alliance technology and Air France's reputation for providing world class on-wing and overhaul services," says Alain Bassil, President of Air France Industries.
"We're very pleased to have Air France Industries as part of the Engine Alliance MRO network," added Bruce Hughes, President of the Engine Alliance. "Air France Industries' capabilities will be an important asset in supporting the growing GP7200 fleet."
The GP7200 engine is currently under development with engine certification targeted for third quarter 2005. First flight on the A380 is set for November 2005, with entry into revenue service in October 2006.
The GP7200 engine has been selected for 67 of the 110 A380 aircraft ordered with the engines specified. In addition to Air France, Emirates, FedEx, and International Lease Finance Corporation have selected the GP7200 engine for their A380 fleets, resulting in firm orders for almost 300 engines valued at more than $3 billion.
Air France Industries is a leading provider worldwide of multi-product aircraft maintenance service, with more than 400 aircraft supported.
Visit Air France Industries at: www.airfranceindustries.com and the Engine Alliance at: www.enginealliance.com.
For any further information or inquiries, please contact :
Air France Industries :
Press Relations - Ulli Gendrot Phone : +33/(0)1.49.34.87.21, e-mail : [email protected]
Engine Alliance:
Rick Kennedy U.S.: 513.243.3372 email: [email protected]
Mark Sullivan U.S.: 860.565.4415 email: [email protected]
Rick Kennedy
GE Aviation
[email protected]
+1 513 243 3372
+1 513 607 0609