Le Bourget, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has selected Engine Alliance GP7200 engines to power its 10 new firm Airbus A380 aircraft. The Abu Dhabi-based airline has also signed a multi-year long-term Fleet Management Agreement with the Engine Alliance for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of its firm GP7200 engine fleet.

Total value of the deal is more than $1.3 billion (USD).

A380 deliveries to Etihad Airways are scheduled to begin in 2012. The Engine Alliance will manage services for the GP7200 engine and utilize the MRO capabilities of its member companies, GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney, as well as other MRO facilities in its support network.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, said: “Engine Alliances’ engines offer impressive propulsion technology combined with a great support package. The GP7200-powered A380s will play an integral role in our ambitious expansion plan in the coming years. The deal represents the best overall engines solution, taking into account operational, environmental and financial factors.”

“We are delighted with Etihad Airways’ GP7200 engine selection,” said Jim Moravecek, Engine Alliance President. “Our best-in-class fuel consumption product on the aircraft and our commitment to fulfill Etihad’s service needs will enable them to improve revenue generation activities at the lowest operating costs possible. We look forward to playing a role in Etihad’s growth plans for the region and beyond.”

Etihad Airways has achieved significant growth since it first took to the skies in November 2003 and today maintains its position as the world’s fastest-growing commercial airline. From its hub in Abu Dhabi, Etihad operates one of youngest and most environmentally efficient fleets in the world, which is set to grow to 52 by the end of 2009. The award-winning airline also aims to increase its passenger numbers this year to seven million, an increase of 15 percent, while also launching into new markets and further developing its global flight network.

The GP7200 is derived from two successful wide-body engine programs, the GE90 and the PW4000. It benefits from the two programs’ latest, proven technologies and the lessons learned from more than 25 million flight hours of successful operation. Certified at 76,500 pounds (340 kN) of thrust, the engine has the capability to produce more than 81,500 pounds (363 kN) of thrust. The GP7200 is the quietest, most fuel efficient engine for the A380, and its emissions are well below current and anticipated regulations.

The GP7200 is manufactured at GE and Pratt & Whitney, with GE assembling the core in Durham, N.C., and Pratt &Whitney manufacturing the fan module, low pressure compressor and low pressure turbine. Final engine assembly is conducted at Pratt & Whitney’s Engine Center in Middletown, CT (Connecticut). GP7000 Engine Program participants include SNECMA (France), Techspace Aero (Belgium) and MTU Aero Engines (Germany).

The GP7200 entered revenue service in August 2008, with the first Emirates A380. Since entering service, the GP7200-powered A380 has not had an in-flight shutdown and has demonstrated a departure reliability rate greater than 99.9%.

In addition to Emirates, the Engine Alliance GP7200 has been selected to power A380 aircraft for Air France, Korean Airlines, and the International Lease Finance Company (ILFC). Air France is scheduled to receive its first GP7200-powered A380 aircraft in October.

The Engine Alliance is a 50/50 joint venture of General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Source: Press Release (Etihad Airways)