KENYA -- GE Aviation has recognized Kenya Airways for achieving the highest time on wing for a CF6-80C2 engine in Africa. The Kenya Airways' CF6-80C2 engine was installed on a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft in 2001 and has accumulated more than 35,000 flight hours and more than 6,400 cycles without a removal. 

GE Aviation acknowledged Kenya Airways milestone during the GE and CFM International Pan-African Technical Conference held earlier this month in Kenya and hosted by Kenya Airways. Dr. Titus Naikuni, CEO of Kenya Airways and Allan Fulilove, Technical Director of Kenya Airways accepted the award presented by GE. Kenya Airways began operating its first CF6 engines in 1986 when the airline acquired an Airbus A310 aircraft. Today, the airline operates 12 CF6-80C2 engines along with CF34 engines and CFM56+ engines. 

"GE is pleased to recognize Kenya Airways as a long-time CF6-80C2 engine operator in Africa and for achieving this significant milestone," said Dr. Catherine Salas, GE Aviation customer support manager for Africa. 

The CF6-80C2 engine is the most popular CF6 engine model, with more than 3,700 engines in operation with more than 140 customers. The CF6-80C2 engine powers the Boeing 747, 767 and MD-11 aircraft as well as the Airbus A300 and A310 aircraft. 

GE developed the Tech CF6 program, which incorporates advanced technology into the high-pressure turbine (HPT), combustor and high-pressure compressor (HPC) areas. The new HPT technologies include airfoil-cooling advancements that are now standard on all new CF6-80C2 production engines. These turbine advancements improve performance retention over time, which lowers overall fuel burn and corresponding CO2 emissions. The CF6-80C2 also meets the stringent CAEP6 international regulations for emissions such as hydrocarbons, smoke, and oxides of nitrogen with margin. 

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 family has established an unparalleled record of reliability and has compiled more than 335 million flight-hours in service with more than 260 customers worldwide. 

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