FARNBOROUGH -- Arik Air, Nigeria's leading domestic carrier, has selected the GEnx engine to power its new seven Boeing 787 aircraft. The airline has also finalized its engine order of five GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER/-200LR aircraft. The total value of both engine deals is more than $500 million USD list price. 



"GE has been very supportive of the growth in Nigeria, and I have a strong relationship with many GE businesses, including GE Energy and GE Commercial Finance - Aviation Services," said Sir JIA Johnson, Chairman of Arik Air. "The purchase of the GEnx and GE90 engines further strengthens this relationship, and I look forward to working together with GE as we continue to grow our business in West Africa." 



"We are very pleased with Arik Air's selection of the GEnx and GE90 engines to power its new aircraft," said Jack Lutze, regional sales general manager of Western Europe and Africa for GE Aviation. "The advanced technologies and fuel efficiencies that these engines offer will allow Arik Air to expand into international route offerings." 



Arik Air is a wholly owned Nigerian airline with a commitment to the people of Nigeria to deliver new standards in aviation. The airline commenced commercial operation on October 30, 2006 with three brand new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, thus becoming the first airline to fly new aircraft in Nigeria for over 20 years. The airline currently services 24 domestic routes from 15 airports and one regional route and has been designated the national carrier of Republic of Niger. 



With more than 1,100 engines sold to date, the GEnx is the fastest-selling engine in GE's history. Based on the proven architecture of the GE90, the GEnx will succeed GE's CF6 engine. Compared to the CF6, the GEnx will offer 15 percent improved fuel efficiency, which translates into 15 percent less CO2. It is designed to stay on wing 30 percent longer than the CF6, while using 30 percent fewer parts, greatly reducing maintenance. 



The GEnx emissions will be as much as 95 percent below current regulatory limits. The engine will also be the quietest one that GE has produced, based on a pound-of-thrust-per-decibel ratio. As the world's only jet engine with both a front fan case and fan blades made of carbon fiber composites, the GEnx will also have greater durability, better performance retention as well as lower operating costs than comparable engines in its class. 



IHI of Japan, TechSpace Aero of Belgium, Avio SpA. of Italy, Volvo Aero of Sweden and Samsung Techwin of Korea are revenue-sharing participants in the GEnx program. 



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



The GE90-115B engine, the world's largest, highest-thrust commercial engine, powers the Boeing 777-200LR, -300ER and Freight aircraft. The engine is one of the quietest per pound of thrust. The engine also exhibits superior fuel burn and low overall emissions due in part to its improved combustor. The combustor meets all 2008 international emissions standards with margin, including no more than 40 percent of the allowable hydrocarbons. This engine has proven to be tremendously popular with customers around the world, with close to 1,000 engines being sold. The GE90-115B engine has logged more than two million flight hours since entering service in 2004. 



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 a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.