PHOENIX, AZ - The network of overhaul facilities for the GEnx engine is expanding as production of the engine accelerates. In recent weeks, GE Aviation announced a GE-Branded Services Agreement (GBSA) with Air France-KLM for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the GEnx-1B and a new joint venture with Evergreen Aviation Technologies (EGAT) called GE Evergreen Engine Services, which will provide MRO services for both the GEnx-1B and -2B.

"These new agreements underscore our commitment to an MRO network that offers customers a choice of facilities and geographies," said Paul McElhinney, president and CEO of GE Aviation's Services business. "We are committed to building a next-generation MRO network for GEnx that is highly responsive to customer needs."

Air France-KLM and GE Evergreen Engines Services join a network that includes GE Aviation overhaul facilities in Prestwick, Scotland and Petropolis, Brazil. Other GEnx MRO partners include Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), which received FAA and UAE General Civil Aviation Authority approval for quick turn operations late last year and ultimately will be an overhaul facility for both the GEnx-1B and -2B; Lufthansa Technik, which has a GBSA for maintenance, repair and overhaul of the GEnx-2B powering the Boeing 747-8; and Air India, which has a GBSA for GEnx-1Bs.

The GEnx engine family is the fastest-selling engine in GE Aviation history with more than 1,500 engines on order. The GEnx production rate is expected to grow by 50% this year to nearly 300 engines annually.

Compared to GE's CF6 engine, the GEnx engine offers up to 15 percent better fuel consumption, which translates to 15 percent less CO2. The GEnx's innovative twin-annular pre-swirl (TAPS) combustor dramatically reduces NOx gases as much as 55 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 is the quietest engine GE produces due to the large, more efficient fan blades that operate at a slower tip speed, resulting in about 40 percent lower noise levels.

Revenue-sharing participants on the GEnx are IHI Corporation of Japan, GKN Aerospace Engine Systems of Sweden, MTU of Germany, TechSpace Aero of Belgium, Snecma (SAFRAN Group) of France and Samsung Techwin of Korea.

The GEnx engine is 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, turboshaft 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.