GE Aerospace is making gains with its GEnx high-bypass turbofan engine technology, winning new business and building up its presence with existing customers. In recent days the engine builder has drawn orders from International Airlines Group (IAG) for GEnx engines to power six new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, for British Airways; and from Japan Airlines to provide the propulsion units for up to 20 787. That would mean a total of 52 GEnx engines, with an estimated total value of $1.3 billion based on published list prices. The actual value of the orders has not been reported.
The GEnx is one of two turbofan engines selected by Boeing to power its long-range 787 aircraft, and nearly 3,000 have been put into service since 2011. It’s also installed to power Boeing 747s. GE calls it the fastest-selling, high-thrust engine in its history.
As noted by the developer, the GEnx powers two of every three 787 aircraft in service. It claims the GEnx offers a 1.4% fuel-burn savings for the typical 787 mission compared to the other engine option for the Dreamliner, the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000.
The British Airways order is notable because until now the carrier has opted for the Rolls engine for its 35 current 787s. BA has 10 more 787s on order, and six of those will feature the GE engine.
“The GEnx engine is performing well, with millions of reliable flight hours under wing and proven fuel efficiency and economics,” according to IAG, which controls British Airways. Recent reports have noted that the Trent 1000 is losing significant market share due to airlines’ concerns about the engines’ durability and reliability.
Japan Airlines’ order is a reaffirmation of the GEnx engine, as it was the first to operate that version of the 787 and presently has 106 in service on 53 of the Boeing jets..
"As a launch airline for GEnx-powered 787 Dreamliner, we are delighted at introducing additional 787s. Since incorporation into our fleet, the GEnx engine has proven to be high performance, reliable and fuel efficient through thousands of flight hours," stated Yukio Nakagawa, executive officer and senior vice president-Procurement. "The GEnx engine is essential to the expansion of our 787 Dreamliner fleet."
