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Lufthansa Launches the GEnx-Powered Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental Passenger Version

December 06, 2006

EVENDALE, Ohio -- Lufthansa has ordered 20 firm, 20 option Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft powered by the GEnx engine to become the launch customer for the passenger version of this aircraft. 

The firm order for 80 GEnx engines is valued at more than $950 million (USD). Delivery will begin in 2010. 

"Lufthansa is a key operator of aircraft powered by GE and CFM* engines and was the launch customer for GE's CF34 and several CF6 engines," said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO of GE Aviation. "With this order, Lufthansa again makes history." 

The GEnx is experiencing the fastest sales ramp-up ever for GE's high-thrust commercial engines. First launched in 2004 for the popular Boeing 787, the GEnx is further buoyed as the engine for the four-engine 747-8 aircraft launched in 2005. To date, more than 70 747-8 aircraft have been ordered.  

More than 650 GEnx engines are on order--and the engine won't enter service until 2008. 

Based on the highly successful GE90 architecture, the GEnx engine will succeed GE's CF6 engine family, which is the most reliable and best-selling engine on wide-body aircraft. It provides significantly better specific fuel consumption and payload performance than GE's CF6 engines Testing on the GEnx engine for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner began this year, with engine certification for the GEnx-1B powering the 787 Dreamliner scheduled for 2007. The GEnx-2B engine for the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled to certify in 2008. 

The GEnx engine is the world's only jet engine with both a front fan case and fan blades made of composites, which provide for greater engine durability, weight reduction and lower operating costs. The fan blades will utilize GE90 composite technology that has performed extremely well, with no routine on-wing maintenance required and no in-service issues for more than a decade. 

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

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 also is a world-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.