Virgin Blue Orders GE90-115B Engines to Power Six Boeing 777-300ERs

Released on Wednesday, June 27, 2007

June 27, 2007 -- EVENDALE, Ohio -- Australian airline Virgin Blue has ordered six GE90-powered Boeing 777s. The order is valued at nearly $300 million (USD) list price. The order with Virgin Blue for 12 GE90-115B engines was accompanied by an agreement by the airline to exercise options for 12 GE CF34 engines, powering three EMBRAER 170 and three EMBRAER 190 aircraft.

Virgin Blue's firm order for six 777-300ERs also included options for an additional six aircraft. The airline is also leasing one GE90-powered Boeing 777-300ER from International Lease Finance Company. Virgin Blue will be the first Australian airline to operate the GE90-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Aircraft deliveries begin in October 2008.

The Boeing 777-300ER order is part of the airline's plans to launch a new, long haul airline operation. The new carrier will initially focus on flights between Australia and the U.S. West Coast.

Virgin Blue operates 53 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, powered by CFM56-7B engines, produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and GE.

The GE90-115B, the world's most powerful jet engine, is part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio--GE's commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance. Snecma of France, Avio SpA. of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program.