FARNBOROUGH AIRSHOW -- Germany's second largest airline airberlin has selected the GEnx-1B engine to power its fleet of 15 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for which orders are confirmed. The airline has also signed a 12-year OnPointSM solution agreement to cover the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its GEnx engines. The GEnx-1B engines selection and OnPoint solution agreement are valued at more than $1.2 billion over the life of the contract.
"airberlin‘s fleet strategy is geared towards cost-effectiveness and efficient environmental performance. We have traditionally been a force for innovation in these two areas and in 2011 we achieved a new milestone. With an average fuel consumption of 3.5 litres per 100 passenger kilometres flown, airberlin is the most fuel-efficient network carrier in Europe. We aim to reduce this record-breaking low level of fuel consumption even further. By choosing the GEnx engines for our Dreamliner fleet, we are not only reaffirming our commitment to eco-efficient flying but we have also chosen an economically attractive solution," said Hartmut Mehdorn, CEO airberlin. "Through closer collaboration with our strategic partner, Etihad Airways, on the two airlines‘ Boeing Dreamliner Programme, we have the added advantage of working successfully together as a team and collaborating more efficiently on the introduction of a new type of aircraft," added Hartmut Mehdorn.
"airberlin's selection of the GEnx is based on our comprehensive and thorough commercial and technical proposals, which provide to airberlin the benefits of greater efficiency and low cost of maintenance," said Muhammad Al-Lamadani, Senior Executive for European Sales, GE Aviation. "The GEnx engine is performing exceptionally well in the field, and our customers are pleased with the engine's improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and lower noise."
The 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, powered by eco-efficient GEnx engines, will gradually be integrated into airberlin's fleet from 2015. Back in March 2012, airberlin and its strategic partner, Etihad Airways, announced that they would link their Boeing 787 Dreamliner Programme in order to exploit synergies. The economies of scale achieved through collaboration in the areas of fleet strategy, fleet operation and maintenance were calculated by the two airlines at several million US dollars. The Dreamliner order for the two airlines totals 56 confirmed aircraft, making it the largest order for this type of aircraft.
The GEnx-1B engine entered service in April with Japan Airlines and has accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours and close to 900 cycles. More than 800 GEnx-1B engines have been sold to more than 25 customers.
The GEnx engine family is the fastest-selling engine in GE Aviation history with more than 1,300 engines on order. Compared to GE's CF6 engine, the GEnx engine offers up to 15 percent better fuel efficiency, which translates to 15 percent less CO2 and is about 30 percent quieter. The GEnx engine's NOx gases emissions are as much as 55 percent below today's regulatory limits, and as much as 90 percent below today's regulatory limits on the emission of other regulated gases. Revenue-sharing participants on the GEnx are 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.
The GEnx is part of GE's "ecomagination" product portfolio - GE's business strategy to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance.
OnPoint solutions are customized service agreements tailored to the operational and financial needs of each customer for any size fleet. These agreements are designed to help lower the customers' cost of ownership and maximize the use of their assets. Backed by GE's global support network, OnPoint services may include overhaul, on wing support, new and used- serviceable parts, component repair, technology upgrades, engine leasing, integrated systems support and diagnostics and integrated systems.
About airberlin: airberlin is Germany's second largest airline. The company has a workforce of 9,200 employees. Each year, airberlin receives over 10 awards for service and quality. The fleet comprises 165 aircraft with an average age of five years, making it one of the most modern fleets in Europe. The airline's state-of-the-art jets are highly fuel efficient, which contributes toward a long-term reduction in pollution emissions from aircraft. As one of the major European airlines, airberlin flies to 162 destinations in 40 countries. In 2011, over 35 million passengers were transported. In December 2011, airberlin entered into a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways. Since 20th March 2012, airberlin has been a full member of the global airline alliance oneworld® . airberlin operates codeshare flights with oneworld members American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and Japan Airlines.
About GE: 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.