EVENDALE, Ohio - Continental Airlines has ordered 35 Performance Improvement Program (PIP) upgrade kits for the GE90-90B engines powering its Boeing 777 fleet.
Continental is the sixth airline to order the PIP kit. Air France, Austrian, Kuwait Airways, China Southern and Saudi Arabian Airlines have purchased GE90 upgrade kits.
The PIP kit incorporates advanced 3-D aerodynamic components in the high-pressure compressor, as well as new sealing, clearance and turbine technology. The PIP kit will improve fuel burn and provide additional exhaust gas temperature margin. This increased margin translates to longer time on wing, thus reducing maintenance costs.
"Continental has done a great job managing its 777 fleet over the past six years," said Chaker Chahrour, general manager of the GE90 project. "With the addition of the GE90 PIP kit, which are targeted for installation between 2004 and 2008, this airline will receive even more value from this asset with lower fuel burn and longer on-wing life that translates to significantly lower overall cost of ownership."
Continental Airlines Senior VP of Technical Operations and Purchasing Mark Moran said, "With today's high fuel prices, Continental was able to make a strong business case to incorporate the 3-D aerodynamic modification of the 777 fleet. By working together, we have a win-win situation where Continental, GE and the environment benefit."
Continental was one of the first operators of the GE90-powered 777 and made aviation history when it received ETOPS approval for operations up to 207 minutes.
The GE90 PIP upgrade kit was developed concurrently with the GE90-94B engine model that entered service in 2000. This engine's advanced 3-D compressor is a key building block of the GE90-115B for the Boeing 777-300ER and -200LR. The -115B, the world's most powerful engine, achieved an unprecedented 127,900 pounds thrust during ground testing. The engine entered into service in May 2004 with ILFC's customer, Air France.
Snecma of France, FiatAvio of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program.
GE Transportation - Aircraft Engines, part of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft. In addition, GE Transportation - Aircraft Engines provides comprehensive maintenance support, through its GE Engine Services operation, for GE and non-GE jet engines in service throughout the world.