GE Aircraft Engines to upgrade technology of Kuwait Airways GE90 engines in USD11 million deal

In an agreement valued at US$11 million, GE will increase the performance of five of the carrier's GE90-90B engines, enabling non-stop flights from Kuwait City to New York.

The advanced GE90 Performance Improvement Progam (PIP) upgrade kit will incorporate the latest GE engine technology to modernise the airline's GE90 engines - the world's most powerful engine - which power the airline's two Boeing 777 aircraft. With the engine enhancement, the technology of the current GE90-94B will be infused into the more mature engines, significantly increasing their thrust capability. Kuwait Airways will benefit from the boost in performance of the GE90 engines, initially certified at 85,000 and 90,000 to achieve 94,000 pounds of thrust.

"We are extremely pleased Kuwait Airways has selected the GE engine upgrade kit to modernise its current engines. We have had a long-standing relationship with this flag-carrier airline since 1991 and the new upgraded engines will enable them to achieve the best economies on their new international routes," said Muhammad Al-Lamadani, General Manager for the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, GE Aircraft Engines.

"With the installation of the GE90 PIP upgrade kits, Kuwait Airways will enjoy increased flexibility on long-haul missions, making new non-stop routes possible such as Kuwait City to New York," added Al-Lamadani.

GE will install and perform the upgrades using the PIP kit at the company's full-service maintenance and overhaul facility in Cardiff, Wales as part of the deal. The customised package will allow incorporation of the new technology during normal maintenance activity.

The engine upgrade programme allows Kuwait Airways to benefit from improved performance of the engines and increased thrust capability, a significant advantage for takeoff from hot temperature and high-altitude airports. Incorporating advanced 3-D aerodynamic components in the high pressure compressor as well as new sealing, clearance and turbine technology, the PIP kit also provides a 1.6 percent fuel burn improvement and over 20 degrees Celsius additional exhaust temperature margin - translating into longer time on wing, reduced maintenance costs and higher payload capability resulting from reduced fuel requirements.

"Our experience with GE engines has been outstanding - they have proved to be reliable for our flag-carrier airline, especially in the harsh, hot environment in which our aircraft operate. They deliver real value and the lowest cost of ownership," said Sheikh Talal Mubarak Al-Sabah, Director General, Kuwait Airways Corporation.

The GE90 PIP kit was developed concurrently with the GE90-94B engine model, which entered service in 2000. This engine's advanced 3-D compressor is a key building-block of the world's most powerful engine, the GE90-115B, currently undergoing Boeing 777-300ER flight tests in preparation for certifications and entry into service in early 2004.

With this order, the GE90 PIP kit has been chosen by six customers to date, including Saudi Arabian Airlines and Air France for a total of 106 GE90-90B engines, representing more than 40 percent of the GE90-90B engines in service. In addition, the total PIP sales to date are valued at approximately US$200 million.