XIAMEN CITY, China - GE Engine Services, Inc., the industry leader in total aviation services, today announced the formation of its first GE Engine Services facility in China, GE On-Wing Support (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.

Located in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China, GE On-Wing Support (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., becomes part of the well-established GE On-Wing SupportSM network which provides quick and efficient on-wing aircraft engine maintenance and repair by dispatching "rapid response" teams of expert GE aircraft engine technicians to any location worldwide, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

"This is the first step in the implementation of GE Engine Services' plan to establish a support structure for the airlines in China," said William J. Vareschi, president and chief executive officer of GE Engine Services.

GE On-Wing Support (Xiamen) will provide support for engines produced by GE Aircraft Engines and the engines of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma of France and General Electric Company of the United States, as well as engines produced by other manufacturers.

In addition to convenience, On-Wing Support service provides exceptional customer value by reducing costly engine removals and shop visits, and decreasing expensive operational disruptions with time-off-wing.

First established at Heathrow Airport in London, U.K., in 1993, GE On-Wing Support operates sites from: Luton Airport, near London; the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, near Cincinnati, Ohio; John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport at New York City; Miami (Florida) International Airport; and Carter Field, in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, area. In addition to On-Wing Support (Xiamen), GE Engine Services plans to be operating more than 20 On-Wing Support locations by 2000.