EVENDALE, OH -- The world's most powerful jet engine, the GE90-115B, is celebrating one year of outstanding performance powering the Boeing 777-300ER. 

On May 10, 2004, the first GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft entered service for International Lease Finance Corporation's customer Air France. Today, 17 GE90-powered 777-300ERs are flying for Air France, All Nippon Airlines, Japan Airlines and Emirates Airlines. 

The GE90-115B engines on those aircraft have completed more than 64,000 hours, 4,100 departures, and 8,200 cycles with no unscheduled engine removals and no in-flight shutdowns - a remarkable achievement for an entry into service of a new jet engine. 

"This is arguably GE's best ever entry into service of a new commercial jet engine," said Chaker Chahrour, general manager of GE's GE90 Engine Program. "The engine reliability has been outstanding, and our fuel burn is better than predicted, which contributes to the excellent economics of the aircraft. Our customers are truly delighted with the engine performance." 

"Dispatch reliability and fuel efficiency are critical to an airline's success in long-range markets," said Lars Andersen, vice president - program manager, 777 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "In service, the 777-300ER has demonstrated best-in-class reliability and unmatched efficiency." 

"The 777-300ER has met our ambitious requirements in delivering expected performance, reliability and efficiency," said Pierre Vellay, Air France senior vice president, New Aircraft and Corporate Fleet Planning. "It has proven itself as a passenger-pleasing moneymaker." 

The GE90-115B is certified at an unprecedented 115,000 pounds (512 kN) thrust and serves as the powerplant for Boeing's 777-300ER. The same engine powers the 777-200LR Worldliner aircraft as well as the upcoming 777 freighter targeted for entry into service in 2008. A total of 108 777-300ERs and five 777-200LRs have been ordered. 

The GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner, the world's longest-range commercial aircraft, began flight-testing in March 2005. The first 777-200LR aircraft will be delivered to Pakistan Airlines in January 2006. 

Snecma of France, Avio SpA. of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program. 

GE Transportation - Aircraft Engines, a part of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft.