LE BOURGET -- Air Nostrum has ordered 35 CF34-8C5A1 powered Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft. The engine order is valued at more than $350 million (USD) list price. Delivery will begin in 2010. 

"Air Nostrum has more than a decade of experience operating GE's CF34 engines in its regional jet fleet," said David Joyce, president and CEO of GE Aviation. "We are confident the new CF34-8C5A2-powered Bombardier CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft will prove to be just as successful for Air Nostrum and look forward to supporting them as this aircraft enters service next year." 

The CF34-8C5A1 engine is the newest CF34-8 variant and will power the CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft, which is scheduled to enter service in 2010. The engine has new aerodynamic first-stage high-pressure turbine nozzles, 30 percent fewer vanes, improved geometry, cooling and coating on the high-pressure turbine airfoils and up to 10 percent lower maintenance costs. 

More than 1,600 CF34-8 engines are in service on Bombardier's CRJ700 (CF34-8C1) and CRJ900 (CF34-8C5) and EMBRAER's 170/175 (CF34-8E5) aircraft. The engines have accumulated more than 12 million flight-hours and nine million cycles. The CF34-8 engine has undergone many enhancements to lower part count, further improve durability and lower maintenance costs. 

Founded in 1994, Air Nostrum is headquartered in Valencia, Spain, and is one of the leading regional carriers in Europe. Part of OneWorld Alliance and exclusive franchise of IBERIA, Air Nostrum currently operates 35 CF34-3-powered Bombardier CRJ200 and 11 CF34-8C5-powered CRJ900. Last year the airline's CRJ200 fleet celebrated 10 years of successful operation. 

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as avionics, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.