PARIS - June 14, 2003 -- GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) expects to increase its CF34 engine order book by more than 450 engines in 2003, based on the growth of regional jet aircraft. 



In addition, GEAE forecasts CF34 engine deliveries will exceed 500 in 2003, with more than 450 engines anticipated for delivery in 2004.  



"Despite an extremely difficult airline operating environment, the regional jet segment has continued to hold its own," said Charles Blankenship, general manager of GEAE's Small Commercial Engine Operation. "The growing installed base of CF34 engines in service will drive continued technology investment into the product line well into the future." 



GEAE has spent more than $1.5 billion in CF34 engine technology, and the investment continues to pay returns for GEAE and its customers. Today, approximately 1,700 CF34 engines are powering regional jets for more than 30 airlines, with an additional 500+ CF34 engines powering corporate jets. 



By 2005, more than 2,500 CF34 engines will be powering regional jets in the 50- to 90-passenger segment--even though the first CF34 was delivered for regional jets only 11 years ago.  



GE launched the CF34 in 1983 by taking the durable TF34 military engine and developing it into a business jet engine for Bombardier's Challenger aircraft. A decade later, GE further developed the CF34 for a new breed of aircraft--the 50-passenger regional jet. The first CF34-powered regional jet, the Bombardier CRJ100, entered service in 1992. 



Today, GE continues to pioneer new technology in this market by developing and certifying new higher-thrust versions of the CF34 for the latest 70- to 90-passenger regional jets. The CF34 engine family includes: 



CF34-3: Powering the Bombardier CRJ100 and CRJ200, the CF34-3A1 and -3B1 engines (9,000 pound thrust class) have accumulated more than 12 million flight hours as the world's most reliable engines for regional jets. The CF34-3 powers more than 750 of these 50-passenger Bombardier jets in service. 



CF34-8: The CF34-8C1 (13,800 pounds thrust) currently powers 85 of the 70-passenger Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft, which first entered service in 2002. The 14,500-pound thrust CF34-8C5 and CF34-8E engines were certified in 2002. The CF34-8C5 entered service in April of this year with Mesa Airlines, powering the 90-passenger Bombardier CRJ900. The CF34-8E, for the EMBRAER 170/175, is currently powering the 70-passenger EMBRAER 170 in flight tests. 



CF34-10: Launched for the 90-passenger EMBRAER 190/195 regional airliners, the CF34-10 (18,500 pounds thrust) will soon undergo flight tests on GE's unique 747 Flying Testbed. The engine is scheduled to enter service on the EMBRAER aircraft with Swiss Airlines in 2004. The other member of the CF34-10 family, the CF34-10A (18,000 pounds thrust) will power China's ARJ21 regional jet, which is scheduled to enter service in 2007. 



GEAE, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is the world's leading manufacturer of jet engines for civil and military aircraft. GEAE also manufactures gas turbines for marine and industrial applications. It provides comprehensive maintenance support, through its GE Engine Services operation, for GE and non-GE jet engines in service worldwide. Visit GEAE online at: http://www.geae.com.