First Engine Alliance GP7200 engines enter service with Emirates

The Emirates flight was the first in-service A380 flight to the United States when it arrived at New York's John F. Kennedy airport after completing a 14-hour nonstop flight from Dubai.

"This entry into service is a major milestone for Emirates, Airbus and the Engine Alliance and we are delighted that the world's largest A380 fleet will be powered by the GP7200 engine," Engine Alliance President Jim Moravecek said. "The GP7200 is the most fuel efficient, quietest engine for the A380. We are excited to deliver this value to our customers beginning with this first GP7200-powered aircraft for Emirates."

The GP7200-powered A380 received type certifications from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in December 2007.

In addition to Emirates, the Engine Alliance GP7200 has been selected to power A380 aircraft for Air France, Korean Airlines, and the International Lease Finance Company.

The Engine Alliance is in active sales campaigns with potential customers around the world.

"This milestone is a demonstration of the success of the collaboration between GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney," Moravecek said. "The entire Engine Alliance team looks forward to continuing to work closely with Emirates to ensure a smooth entry into service."

The Engine Alliance GP7200 is derived from two successful wide-body engine programs, the GE90 and the PW4000.

The GP7200 is manufactured at GE and Pratt & Whitney, with GE assembling the core and Pratt & Whitney manufacturing the fan module, low pressure compressor and low pressure turbine.

Final engine assembly is conducted at Pratt & Whitney's Engine Center in Middletown, Conn.