DUBAI - General Electric Company is playing a large role in the construction of Emirates Airlines' jet engine test facility in Dubai. 

Emirates Airlines, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, began construction on the facility in June, with completion scheduled for January 2007. The facility was designed in co-operation with GE with a capability unique to the Middle East region. 

"Emirates and GE have developed a strong relationship," said Muhammad Al-Lamadani, regional sales manager for GE - Aviation. "Our support of this project will enable the airline to test the most powerful engines in the world." 

The facility will house a 13-meter cross-section turbofan engine test cell and an auxiliary power unit test cell and will be capable of testing aircraft engines with up to 150,000 pounds of thrust. 

The test facility will test a large variety of turbofan engines and auxiliary power units, such as the Engine Alliance* GP7200 (Emirates will operate about 200 of these engines), GE90-115B engine (Emirates will operate 60 of these engines), as well as Rolls-Royce Trent 500, 700 and 800 engine series and the Honeywell GTCP331-350, GTPC331-500 and GTPC331-600 auxiliary power units. 

GE designed the new test facility to meet all stringent regulations for noise, emissions, and waste management, in addition to safety and environmental requirements. 

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 global provider of maintenance and support services for operators of GE jet engines. 

*Engine Alliance is a 50/50 joint venture between GE - Aviation and Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company.