FARNBOROUGH -- GE-Aviation expects revenues to grow in 2006 to a record $12.8 billion.  



The 2006 growth follows a strong 2005 financial performance, when revenues grew to $11.9 billion, up from $11.1 billion in 2004. 



Meanwhile, GE-Aviation continues its aggressive technology development program, investing more than $1 billion annually in research and development for new engines, as well as upgrades for current production engines.  



Servicing the fast-growing installed base of GE and CFM* engines is driving revenue growth. About 20,000 GE and CFM engines are now in commercial airline service - a figure that will reach 30,000 engines by 2015. 



"These engines power the world's most utilized airline aircraft," said Scott Donnelly, president and CEO of GE-Aviation, on the eve of the Farnborough (U.K.) International Air Show. "Our technology investments are all about making these aircraft as productive as possible for our customers." 



Robust sales for GE's large, high-thrust engines are fueling the growth of the installed base. The order book for the new GEnx engine under development for new wide-body aircraft has swelled to almost 600 engines. 



Also, in the past 18 months, GE has sold more than 300 GE90 engines, driven by worldwide demand for Boeing 777-300ER and -200LR aircraft. GE90 deliveries will more than double between 2005 and 2007. 



Brisk sales of the best-selling CFM56 engine for the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 continue unabated. More than 1,600 CFM56 engines were ordered in 2005, and CFM International is on pace for a similar sales level this year. 



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.