GE Aviation announces more than USD10bn in Middle East deals

GE Aviation with joint venture companies, CFM International and Engine Alliance, stated nearly USD10 billion of the USD16 billion in engine and services orders at the recent 2010 Farnborough Air Show were signed by airlines in the Middle East, notably the UAE. Emirates accounted for USD7.8 billion in orders alone. Highlights of the partnerships from the Middle East region include:

• Emirates: Ordered 30 GE90-115B-powered B777-300ERs, with a 12-year engine MRO services agreement. The carrier also selected the Engine Alliance GP7200 engines to power its 32 additional A380 aircraft announced last month;
• Air Arabia: Selected the CFM56-5B engine to power its order for 44 Airbus A320-family aircraft, announced in 2007. Air Arabia also signed a multi-year rate per flight-hour service agreement for its CFM56-5B fleet;
• Qatar Airways: Converted two options for GE90-115B-powered B777-200LR aircraft into firm orders;
• Royal Jordanian: Agreed to purchase six GEnx-1B engines to power its three additional B787s. [more]