Dubai, February 17, 2003 ---- GE Aircraft Engines will supply Pakistan's national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with GE90 engines to power the airline's new fleet of eight long-range Boeing 777 aircraft. In the deal, valued at US$400 million, GE has agreed to begin delivery of the world's most powerful engine to PIA in 2004.
PIA, a long-standing customer of GE Aircraft Engines as well as CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture of GE and Snecma Moteurs of France, has selected three models from the GE90 engine family to power their new Boeing 777-200ER, 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircrafts. The airline's recent purchase of the 777 aircraft fleet is part of the airline's aggressive modernisation programme and will bring increased flexibility to its international routes.
"We are extremely pleased PIA has selected GE engines for their new fleet of 777 aircraft. PIA is an extremely important customer, and GE is fully committed to making the airline's expansion plans a great success. We have shared a long history together and we're delighted to be part of the airline's vision in the new century," said Mohammed Al Lamadani, General Manager for the Middle East and Eastern Europe, GE Aircraft Engines.
"PIA has had an outstanding experience with GE and CFM in the harsh, hot environment in which its aircrafts operate. The GE90 will be equally reliable for this flag-carrier airline," Lamadani added.
The Karachi-based airline has selected the GE90-94B, the higher thrust GE90-115B and the GE90-110B to power its 777 fleet based on GE engines' proven track record of reliability and performance. One of the oldest airlines in the Middle East, PIA boasts a 20-year relationship with GE Aircraft Engines with over half of the carrier's current fleet powered by GE or CFM International Engines. CF6 engines operate on 16 of PIA's aircraft, while CFM56 engines power an additional seven.
The world's largest aircraft engine, the GE90-115B is rated at a powerful 112,925 pounds of thrust, an achievement recognised by Guinness World of Records. The GE90 family's development was announced in 1990, and its unique capabilities, including lowest noise and fuel consumption, makes it the most discussed jet engine design engineered specifically for the Boeing 777 series.
GE90 was designed to meet the challenges of the 21st century, combining proven technology and reliability features from the CF6 and CFM56 families, along with new technologies from advanced military programmes. The GE90 class features the first successful application of composite fan blades, instead of titanium and also boasts the highest engine bypass ratio, of 9:1. This coupled with the overall pressure ratio exceeding 40:1, has resulted in the best propulsive efficiency of any commercial engine.
GE has been active in the Gulf since 1933. Its activities in the region are conducted through direct presence, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and a wide network of distributors. GE has completed strategic projects in various hi-tech industrial sectors, defence-related contracts and major infrastructure developments.
GE is a diversified technology, manufacturing and services company based on more than a century of achievement and innovation. Today, it is the only company listed in the Dow Jones Industrial Index that was also included in the original listing of 1896. GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs nearly 300,000 people worldwide.
GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE), a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is the world's leading manufacturer of jet engines for civil and military aircraft, including engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma of France and GE.
In addition, GEAE provides comprehensive maintenance support, through its GE Engine Services operation, for GE and non-GE jet engines in service throughout the world. Visit GEAE online at: http://www.geae.com.
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