Etihad Airways has chosen GE Aviation, Rolls-Royce, Engine Alliance* and International Aero Engines (IAE)** to power the new Airbus and Boeing aircraft that it ordered at last year's Farnborough International Airshow.
The Farnborough deal included 100 firm orders and options and purchase rights for a further 105 aircraft, which will be delivered between 2011 and 2020.
The Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the United Arab Emirates announced firm orders today at the Paris Air Show for:
• 78 GEnx engines, to power its 35 new Boeing 787 aircraft
• 45 Engine Alliance GP7200 engines, to power its 10 new Airbus A380 aircraft
• 44 IAE V2500 engines, to power its 20 new narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft
Rolls-Royce and GE Aviation will supply engines for the airline's new Airbus A350 fleet and future Boeing 777 aircraft deliveries, respectively, as previously announced at Farnborough:
• 50 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, to power its 25 new Airbus A350 aircraft
• 22 GE90 engines, to power its 10 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft
The firm orders for 239 engines, which include 19 spares, is worth US $7 billion at list prices, including maintenance contracts.
If all options and purchase rights are exercised, the total number of engines will be 469, at a list price value of US $14 billion***, including maintenance contracts. This represents the largest engine order in commercial aviation history.
Etihad Airways' chief executive James Hogan announced the deals on the second day of the bi-annual Paris Air Show staged at Le Bourget, in the French capital.
James Hogan said: "Despite the tough economic challenges currently facing the aviation industry, Etihad Airways continues to roll-out its long-term expansion plans in a measured, considered and controlled manner.
"The new aircraft, and engines that will power them, are scheduled for delivery between 2011 and 2020 which demonstrates the confidence we have in our plans for sustainable future growth. These plans will establish Etihad Airways as the world's leading airline and our hub of Abu Dhabi as a leading global centre of commerce and tourism.
"We are operating in a very challenging environment at the moment but we have absolute confidence in our future, intrinsically linked to the exciting and on-going development of Abu Dhabi, as well our engine and aircraft manufacturers partners."
A key selection criterion in all of the deals has been the environmental performance of the engines. The engines Etihad Airways has chosen for its wide-body long range aircraft are amongst the most technically advanced and fuel efficient available and will help maintain the airline's fleet as one of the greenest in the sky.
Etihad Airways made history in July 2008 at the Farnborough International Airshow when it placed a firm order for 100 new aircraft. The airline confirmed at the time that the 25 A350 aircraft ordered would be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and the 10 Boeing 777s by GE90 engines.
Mr Hogan added: "Following a comprehensive research and an intensive competition, we are now able to announce the engine manufacturers for the remaining 65 aircraft: 35 Boeing 787s, ten Airbus A380s and 20 Airbus A320s. The deals represent the best overall engines solution, taking into account operational, environmental and financial factors."
David Joyce, president and CEO of GE Aviation, said: "We are extremely honoured that Etihad Airways has chosen the GEnx and GE90-115B engines to power its Boeing 787 and 777-300ER aircraft. We look forward to enhancing Etihad's fleet with the unmatched reliability, performance, and maintenance benefits these two engines will provide, as well as providing the airline with world-class service and support for years to come."
Jim Moravecek, Engine Alliance President, said: "We are delighted with Etihad Airways' GP7200 engine selection for its new fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft. Our best-in-class fuel consumption product on the aircraft and our commitment to fulfil Etihad's service needs will enable them to maximize 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 selected the IAE International Aero Engines V2500 to power its new fleet of 20 Airbus A320-family aircraft. The engines are particularly suitable for Middle East operations and are able to perform consistently well in high temperatures. The airline already operates a fleet of ten V2500-powered aircraft with three more to be delivered later this year, and was the launch customer for V2500 SelectOne™ in the Gulf Region.
Jon Beatty, IAE President and CEO, said: "The V2500 has already demonstrated its reliability since it entered Etihad's fleet in December 2007 and this repeat order validates the engine's performance. We look forward to continuing a successful relationship with the airline."
Since its establishment in 2003, Etihad Airways has been recognised as the fastest growing airline in commercial aviation history. It flies to more than 50 global destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America and this year is on course to carry seven million passengers.
So far this year, the airline has started new flights to Melbourne, Istanbul, Athens, Larnaca and Astana in Kazakhstan. Etihad will also launch new services in September to Chicago. Currently, the airline operates a fleet of 42 Airbus and Boeing passenger aircraft, powered by a combination of Rolls-Royce, GE, CFM and IAE engines.
For Etihad aircraft images and photos of the signing ceremonies at the Paris Air Show, visit www.etihadmediacentre.com
* Engine Alliance is a 50/50 joint venture of General Electric and Pratt and Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation
** IAE is a joint venture of Rolls-Royce, Pratt and Whitney, MTU Aero Engines and Japanese Aero Engines.
*** This figure does not include spare engines and maintenance contracts for the new Airbus A350 fleet. The final contract is still being negotiated and is expected to be signed later this year.
Etihad's current fleet:
As of June 16, 2009, Etihad's fleet consists of 42 passenger aircraft and three freighters:
• 5 x Boeing 777-300 ER, powered by GE90 engines
• 2 x Airbus A319, powered by IAE V2500 engines
• 10 x Airbus A320, powered by IAE V2500 and CFM 56-5A engines
• 16 x Airbus A330-200, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines
• 4 x Airbus A340- 500, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines
• 5 x Airbus A340- 600, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines
Farnborough International Airshow aircraft order:
Etihad Airways placed on July 15, 2008 one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history at the Farnborough airshow in the UK.
The total deal for up to 205 wide-body and narrow-body planes is worth approximately US $43 billion, at list prices. It comprises 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights in a combination of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
The agreement with Airbus comprises firm orders for 55 aircraft:
• 20 A320 aircraft, to be powered by IAE engines
• 25 A350 aircraft, to be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines
• 10 A380 aircraft, to be powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 engines
There are also options for five A320s, 10 A350s and five A380s together with purchase rights for a further 15 A320s, 15 A350s and five A380s.
The agreement with Boeing comprises firm orders for 45 aircraft:
• 35 B787 aircraft, to be powered by GEnx engines
• 10 B777-300ER aircraft, to be powered by GE90 engines
There are also options for 25 B787s and 10 B777-300ERs and purchase rights for a further 10 B787s and five B777s.
The new aircraft and engines are scheduled for delivery between 2010 and 2020 and when delivered will give Etihad Airways a fleet of more than 150 aircraft.
Engine order delivery schedule:
These engines are scheduled for delivery from 2010 onwards, to 2020.
- IAE V2500 engines to power Airbus A320s: between 2011 and 2015
- Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines to power Airbus A350s: between 2017 and 2020
- Engine Alliance GP7200 engines to power Airbus A380s: between 2012 and 2015
- GEnx engines to power Boeing 787s: between 2015 and 2020
- GE90 engines to power Boeing 777s: between 2010 and 2013
-Ends-
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi. Etihad offers flights to more than 50 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: +971 (0)2 511 1032 / 1036 or www.etihadmediacentre.com
© Press Release 2009
