FARNBOROUGH -- Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAWW) has ordered GE's Tech CF6 upgrade kits for the CF6-80C2 engines that power its Boeing 747-400F fleet. Deliveries will begin this month. 



Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc. and the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc., which together operate the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft. 



"GE's Tech CF6 upgrade kits will enable us to enhance the reliability and cost efficiency of the engines serving our 747-400F fleet and deliver even more compelling value to our customers," said William J. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAWW. "As the leading provider of leased freighter aircraft and outsourced air cargo operating services and solutions to the global airfreight industry, this opportunity strengthens the unique value proposition that we already provide to our customers through access to freighters that deliver the highest reliability and lowest unit cost in the marketplace." 



"The order from Atlas Air is an exciting way for GE to infuse technology through Tech CF6 upgrade kits with current CF6-80C2 customers," said David Joyce, President and CEO of GE Aviation. "With the Tech CF6 upgrade kit, GE has incorporated the latest technology material and coating advancements to improve durability and fuel burn retention."



GE's CF6 engines have been among the most utilized and reliable in the industry. Powering more than 10 models of wide-body aircraft, the engine has established an unparalleled record of reliability and compiled more than 300 million flight-hours in service with more than 250 customers worldwide. 



In 2006, GE launched the Tech CF6 program to incorporate advanced technology into the high-pressure turbine (HPT), combustor and high-pressure compressor (HPC) areas. The new HPT technologies, now standard on CF6-80C2 production engines and available as an upgrade, include airfoil-cooling advancements to enhance operational reliability and improve fuel burn retention. The combustor and HPC advancements are available as an upgrade option to incorporate into existing CF6-80C2 fleets. 



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 integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.