AI places $2B order for GE engines

By agencies   |   Wednesday, 22 February 2006, 20:30 IST
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MUMBAI: India’s flag carrier Air India has signed an agreement with GE Aviation for the purchase of GE engines at over $2.2 billion to power its new Boeing 777 and 787 fleets. Both the companies has signed an agreement at the Asian Aerospace show in Singapore. According to the statement, the airline has placed orders for GE90-115B engines, to power the eight 777-200LRs and 15 777-300Ers it will acquire. In addition, Air India has placed orders for GEnx engines to power the 27 787-8 aircraft to be delivered under its fleet acquisition deal with Boeing. Delivery of the 777s is scheduled to begin in 2007, with the 787 deliveries scheduled to begin in 2008. GE Aviation’s President, Scott Donnelly said, “Our GE90-115B engines have performed extremely well since entering service last year, and we anticipate the GEnx engine to experience similar results when it enters service.” Commenting on placing order with GE Aviation, Air India’s Chairman and Managing Director, V Thulasidas said, “The order of 50 Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft all powered by GE engines marks a major expansion of Air India's fleet. This along with the Boeing 737-800 aircraft for Air India Express, the budget airline, is the largest order for aircraft so far in India.”