EVENDALE, Ohio -- SkyWest Airlines has placed a firm order for 30 of the 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets, powered by GE's CF34-8 engines. SkyWest also took options for an additional 80 CRJ700 jets. 



The value of the firm engine order to GE Aircraft Engines is valued at more than $120 million. 



Deliveries of the firm aircraft are scheduled to begin in early 2004 and continue through 2005. 



SkyWest, based in St. George, Utah, has ordered the aircraft for its United Express operation on behalf of United Airlines. SkyWest is one of the original launch customers for the Bombardier CRJ with firm orders for 100 50-seat CRJs. 



In 2003, GE Aircraft Engines has increased its CF34 engine order book by more than 500 engines, propelled by the growing regional jet aircraft market. More than 1,700 CF34 engines are powering regional jets around the world. 



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