Air New Zealand Selects GE90-115BL Engine to Power Four Boeing 777-300ERs

Released on Friday, August 03, 2007

August 03, 2007 -- EVENDALE, OHIO -- Air New Zealand has announced an order for four firm plus three option Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, powered by GE90-115B engines. The firm engine order is valued at more than $250 million list price.

"GE and Air New Zealand have forged a strong relationship through the support of the airline's CF6 and CFM56 engines," said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO of GE Aviation. "With this order for GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, we will continue to ensure the airline has the most reliable engines for its aircraft."

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Fyfe said, "Not only are the engines extremely reliable, but they will also play a pivotal role in the airline's drive to ensure it has one of the most environmentally efficient fleets in the world."

Air New Zealand offers more direct flights to the South Pacific than any other airline and consistently rates among the world's best international airlines. The airline currently operates CF6-80C2 engines on its Boeing 747 and 767 aircraft and CFM56-3 engines on its Boeing 737 aircraft.

CFM56-3 engines are produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company.

The world's largest and most powerful engine, the GE90-115B, celebrated one million successful hours of flight earlier this year. GE has sold more than 750 GE90-115B/-110B engines to 28 customers since it began selling the engine in 2000.

The production rates for the GE90 family will nearly double in two years, all resulting from the dramatic success of the GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER and the GE90-110B-powered 777-200LR and 777 Freighter. In 2006, GE Aviation delivered 100 of the higher-thrust GE90-115B/-110B engine models, and the rate grows to nearly 200 engines by 2008.

The GE90-115B engine is one the quietest engines per pound of thrust. The engine also exhibits superior fuel burn and low overall emissions, due in part to its improved combustor. The combustor emits no more than 40 percent of the hydrocarbons that will be allowed by 2008 international standards.