Qatar Airways orders GE9X engines for B777-8Fs
02 / 02 / 2022
B777-8F. Source: Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has announced a new order for GE9X engines as part of its global launch order of up to 50 Boeing 777-8 freighters.
Boeing’s agreement with Qatar includes 34 firm 777-8 orders and an additional 16 purchase right options. In addition to the GE9X engines, Qatar has also struck a deal with GE for GE90 engines for an additional order of two Boeing 777 Freighters.
The total value of the order with GE is more than $6.8bn including spare engines, a new order for GE90-115B engines, and a TrueChoice services agreement to cover the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the engines.
The GE9X engine comprises heat-resistant Ceramic Matrix Composites materials, additively-manufactured parts and lean burn combustion that help improve fuel efficiency. It offers the lowest NOx emissions in its class, and is the quietest GE engine ever produced, said Qatar Airways.
Both the GE9X and GE90 are compatible with any approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Incorporating a suite of propulsion technologies unique to GE, the GE9X offers up to 10 per cent lower specific fuel consumption compared to the engine it replaces.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “As operators of the Boeing 777 family, including the global launch customer of Boeing’s 777-8 Freighter aircraft, we are delighted to have GE as our partners and these contracts for GE engines further cement the strong relationship between Qatar Airways and GE.”
The 777-8 Freighter is powered exclusively by the GE9X engine. The GE90 engine family is the exclusive powerplant on Boeing’s 777-300ER, 777-200LR, and 777 freighter aircraft.
Last year, there had been speculation that Qatar Airways could be the launch customer for the A350 freighter aircraft.
In a June interview with Reuters, Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said that the company was considering an order for 30 or more freighters from Airbus or Boeing as part of a fleet renewal programme.
However, a bitter dispute between Airbus and Qatar over the A350 passenger aircraft has makes an order for the freighter version from Qatar unlikely for now.
Qatar Airways to become the launch customer for the B777X freighter?
https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/freighter-operator/new-freighters-square-up-for-heavyweight-contest/
