Taiwan-based China Airlines will utilize the favored GEnx-1B engine manufactured by General Electric (GE) Aerospace to power its incoming Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The choice comes after the carrier placed an order for added 787s on the Paris Airshow last week.
The engines, a part of the GEnx engine family, power several Dreamliners worldwide and are known for fuel burn savings and fewer CO2 emissions. GE Aerospace says nearly 3,000 engines are in service and on order.
Essential for the operation
In line with Asian Aviation, China Airlines order 17 GEnx-1B engines and spares as a part of its fleet modernization efforts. While the airline doesn’t currently operate the 787, it stays focused on improving its operational efficiency and overall passenger experience. In September, the airline finalized an order with Boeing for 16 787-9 jets.
Last week, eight more were added, with six being converted to the larger 787-10 variant. In total, China Airlines is expecting 24 Dreamliners to be delivered because it plans to phase out its aged Airbus A330 fleet. The airline can reduce CO2 emissions by greater than 20% with the fuel-efficient aircraft type.
Photo: GE Aerospace
In a press release to Asian Aviation, the airline said the GEnx-1B would allow it to satisfy its standards.
“The GEnx-1B engine plays a very important part in our operations. This agreement for engines and services enables us to make sure we’re meeting best performance and reliability standards to serve our customers.”
An engine that is popular and successful
The widebody jet engine reportedly provides fuel burn savings of 1.4%, akin to $300,000 in savings per airline per yr. Vice President of GE Business Programs at GE Aerospace, Kathy MacKenzie, said the manufacturer is grateful for China Airlines’ order, in line with Asian Aviation.
“We’re so grateful China Airlines has chosen the GEnx-1B engine for its expanding 787 Dreamliner fleet. This agreement fully demonstrates the airline’s trust in our services.”
In line with GE Aerospace, the GEnx engine family is the fastest-selling widebody jet engine in its history. Over 2,700 are currently in service all over the world and on order. Along with the 787, the engine also powers the 747-8. Because it entered service in 2011, the engine family reportedly has nearly 50 million flight hours.
Photo: GE Aerospace
The engines are also designed to supply airlines with less maintenance and noise.
the corporate said.
Continuing the partnership
Constructing off its successful and well-known GE90 engine, the manufacturer said it took its technology to the following level with the GEnx. In 1995, the corporate introduced composite fan blades on the GE90 and remodeled them on the GEnx into carbon-fiber fan blades, giving them a more efficient design. To lighten the engine, the blade count on the machine was reduced from 22 to 18. Moreover, the composite fan case allows for more weight to be reduced.
China Airlines’ GEx order continues its longtime partnership with GE Aerospace. In 1999, the carrier purchased 13 GE CF6-80C2 engines to power its 747-400 aircraft, in line with Asian Aviation. Currently, the airline’s passenger and freighter fleet comprises nearly 90 aircraft.