TAM Order Brings World's Most Powerful Jet Engine to South America

EVENDALE, OHIO -- TAM S.A., Brazil's largest airline, has ordered four Boeing 777-300ER aircraft powered by GE90-115B engines with an option for four additional aircraft. The order for this aircraft-engine combination is the first from a South American airline. 

The aircraft will begin delivery in 2008. The engine deal is valued at more than $180 million (USD). 

TAM has been the leader in the Brazilian domestic market for more than three years. It operates regular flights to 48 destinations throughout the country and maintains code-share agreements with international airline companies that allow passengers to travel to a large number of destinations throughout the world. TAM is currently the largest Latin American Airbus operator of A319s, A320s and A330s. The airline utilizes CF6 and CFM56* engines to power its fleet. 

The world's most powerful jet engine, the GE90-115B is experiencing one of the most successful airline service entries of a high-thrust jet engine in aviation history. Since it began flying at an unprecedented 115,000 pounds (512 kN) thrust in 2004, the GE90-115B has accumulated more than 475,000 hours and 70,000 cycles with no in-flight shutdowns-- a remarkable achievement for a new jet engine. 

Production of the GE90 engine family will more than double between 2005 and 2007--capitalizing on the extraordinary success of Boeing's 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 777-200LR aircraft. This has propelled production rates at GE's Durham, North Carolina, engine assembly facility from 73 GE90 engines in 2005 to more than 170 engines in 2007. 

In total, 30 customers have ordered about 950 GE90 engines for the 777 family, including nearly 500 of the higher-thrust GE90-115B engines for the longer-range 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft. 

The GE90-115B is part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio--GE's commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance. Snecma of France, Avio SpA. of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program. 

GE - Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft. GE is also the world's leading provider of maintenance and support services for jet engines. 

* CFM56 engines are produced by CFM international, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Snecma.