RENO, Nevada - GE Aircraft Engines' new CF34-8C1 turbofan engine positions GE to play a major role in the next phase of regional airline evolution.

GE pioneered regional airline growth in the 30-passenger class with the introduction of the CT7 turboprop engine in the early 1980s. Today's CT7 fleet totals more than 500 aircraft, comprising the market-leading Saab 340 and the CASA/IPTN CN-235. The Let 610G and Sukhoi S-80, both currently in development, will soon be added to the CT7 in-service fleet.

GE's 9,000-pound-thrust-class CF34 turbofan engine helped spur airline expansion into the 50-passenger class. The CF34 entered service in 1992 on the Canadair Regional Jet and has since earned a reputation for exceptional reliability. CF34 performance has helped airlines achieve dramatic business growth and profitability and has contributed significantly to the success of the Canadair Regional Jet.

The 14,000-pound-thrust-class CF34-8C1 engine, currently in development for the new Canadair Regional Jet Series 700, represents GE's third major regional airline engine program and increases GE's served markets to include 70-passenger aircraft.

"We've been very fortunate at GE to have had the experience and resources to be able to offer the right engine at the right time during the evolution of the regional airline business since deregulation," said Lloyd Thompson, general manager of the Small Commercial Turbofan Department of GE Aircraft Engines. "At each turning point in the business, we've been able to meet our airline customers' performance needs: 30 passengers, then 50, and now 70 passengers."

The CF34-8C1 is scheduled to join GE's fleet of regional airline engines in the year 2000.