airberlin selects GEnx engines to power its Boeing 787 Dreamliners
	July 10, 2012 FARNBOROUGH AIRSHOW -- Germany's second largest airline airberlin has selected the GEnx-1B engine to power its fleet of 15 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for which orders are confirmed. The airline has also signed a 12-year OnPointSM solution agreement to cover the maintenance, repair and overhaul of its GEnx engines. The GEnx-1B engines selection and OnPoint solution agreement are valued at more than $1.2 billion over the life of the contract. "airberlin's fleet strategy is geared towards cost-effectiveness and efficient environmental performance. We have traditionally been a force for innovation in these two areas and in 2011 we achieved a new milestone. With an average fuel consumption of 3.5 litres per 100 passenger kilometres flown, airberlin is the most fuel-efficient network carrier in Europe. We aim to reduce this record-breaking low level of fuel consumption even further. By choosing the GEnx engines for our Dreamliner fleet, we are not only reaffirming our commitment to eco-efficient flying but we have also chosen an economically attractive solution," said Hartmut Mehdorn, CEO airberlin. "Through closer collaboration with our strategic partner, Etihad Airways, on the two airlines' Boeing Dreamliner Programme, we have the added advantage of working successfully together as a team and collaborating more efficiently on the introduction of a new type of aircraft," added Hartmut Mehdorn. "airberlin's selection of the GEnx is based on our comprehensive and thorough commercial and technical proposals, which provide to airberlin the benefits of greater efficiency and low cost of maintenance," said Muhammad Al-Lamadani, Senior Executive for European Sales, GE Aviation. "The GEnx engine is performing exceptionally well in the field, and our customers are pleased with the engine's improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and lower noise." The 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, powered by eco-efficient GEnx engines, will gradually be integrated into airberlin's fleet from 2015. Back in March 2012, airberlin and its strategic partner, Etihad Airways, announced that they would link their Boeing 787 Dreamliner Programme in order to exploit synergies. The economies of scale achieved through collaboration in the areas of fleet strategy, fleet operation and maintenance were calculated by the two airlines at several million US dollars. The Dreamliner order for the two airlines totals 56 confirmed aircraft, making it the largest order for this type of aircraft. Source: General Electric Company Posted by: just4airlines.com at 1359h UTC Jul 10, 2012