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GECAS Orders Boeing 777-300ERs and 747-8 Freighters

June 21, 2011

LE BOURGET -- GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, has announced the purchase of two Boeing 747-8 Freighters powered by GEnx-2B engines and eight Boeing 777-300ER aircraft powered by GE90-115B engines. 

Both variants of the GEnx engine, the GEnx-2B and GEnx-1B, continue flight testing on their respective applications. Entry into service for the GEnx-2B will be this year with Cargolux Airlines International S.A. of Luxembourg. 

About 1,300 GEnx engines are on order for 46 customers around the world, Based on proven GE90 architecture, the GEnx engine will succeed GE's CF6 engine and will offer 15 percent improved fuel efficiency, which translates to 15 percent less CO2. The engine's innovative twin-annular pre-swirl (TAPS) combustor will dramatically reduce NOx gases as much as 60 percent below today's regulatory limits and other regulated gases as much as 90 percent. Based on the ratio of decibels to pounds of thrust, the GEnx will be the quietest engine GE has produced due to the large, more efficient fan blades that operate at slower tip speed, resulting in about 30 percent lower noise levels. The GEnx will be the world's only jet engine with both a front fan case and fan blades made of carbon fiber composites. 

IHI Corporation of Japan, Avio SpA. of Italy, Volvo Aero of Sweden, MTU of Germany, TechSpace Aero of Belgium, Snecma (SAFRAN Group) of France and Samsung Techwin of Korea are revenue-sharing participants in the GEnx program. 

Since the GE90-115B engine entered service in 2004, more than 650 GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-200LR, 777-300ER and 777 Freighter aircraft have been ordered by 46 customers throughout the world. In addition to an unrivaled thrust rating of 115,000 pounds, the GE90-115B offers the enhanced performance and efficiency of three-dimensional, aerodynamic (3D aero) compressor airfoils and wide-chord, swept fan blades. The GE90-115B performance and efficiency, coupled with the GE90-115B dual annular combustor technology, significantly limits fuel consumption and restricts hydrocarbon emissions to 40 percent of the level permitted by current international standard. 

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

The GEnx and GE90-115B engine are part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio -- GE's commitment to implementing innovative, cost-effective technologies that enhance the customers' environmental and operating performance. 

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