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.

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