EVENDALE, Ohio - GE Engine Services - Dallas, Inc., an affiliate of GE Engine Services, Inc., and America West Airlines, Inc., announced that America West has awarded to GE a multi-million dollar, long-term contract to maintain the airline's CFM56-3, V2500A1, and JT8D-15 aircraft engines.
America West's CFM56-3 and V2500A1 engines, which power the airline's Boeing 737-300 and Airbus Industrie A320 aircraft, will be maintained by GE as part of a 10-year Rate Per Engine Hour (RPEH)SM contract.
The JT8D-15 engines, which power America West's Boeing 737-200 aircraft, will also be covered under an exclusive five-year firm, five-year renewal option, RPEH agreement with GE. Work on America West's engines will be done at GE's Strother facility, near Arkansas City, Kansas, and GE's Dallas, Texas, facility, a former Greenwich Air Services site.
"GE Engine Services continually expands its global network of resources in order to provide efficient, cost-effective maintenance services," said Bill Vareschi, president of GE Engine Services, Inc. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide this value to America West."
"This contract provides engine maintenance based on a flat rate per engine hour offering significant savings in operating expenses for America West," said Ron A. Aramini, senior vice president of operations at America West. "We're pleased to be working with GE Engine Services. Its expertise and strong service network, as well as its commitment to value, are consistent with our commitment to provide a safe, quality product and maintain low costs."
The contract extends significant operational and economic benefits to America West, including vendor assumption of maintenance cost risks, incentives for improved on-wing performance and reductions in the cost of overhaul work.
In 1997, GE Engine Services received orders worth more than $3.6 billion, representing a $1.0 billion, or 38 percent, order increase over 1996. Also in 1997, GE Engine Services won multi-year maintenance and overhaul contracts worth more than $6 billion, representing an increase of more than 45 percent over 1996.
America West Airlines, the nation's ninth largest carrier, serves more than 90 destinations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. America West Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of America West Holdings Corporation, an aviation and travel services company with annual sales of $1.9 billion.
GE Engine Services, which has its headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, provides comprehensive overhaul and repair of aircraft engines, components, and accessories of GE Aircraft Engines and of CFM International, the 50/50 joint company of Snecma of France and General Electric Company of the United States, as well as engines produced by other manufacturers. GE Engine Services has overhaul and repair facilities located at: Nantgarw, Wales; Singapore; Ontario, California; Strother Field, near Arkansas City, Kansas; Miami, Florida; Fort Worth/Dallas, Texas; Prestwick, Scotland; Petropolis, Brazil; Cincinnati, Ohio; and engine support centers at six Garrett Aviation Services locations.
SM Rate Per Engine Hour and RPEH are service marks of GE Engine Services - Miami, Inc., formerly known as Greenwich Air Services, Inc.