GE Aviation to boost production by over 60 per cent

New Delhi, Jan 4 (UNI) GE Aviation, one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft, is boosting overall engine production by more than 60 per cent between 2007 and 2009 due to growing demand for its large commercial engines, the GE90 and GEnx, as well as continued growth of CFM56 and CF34 engines.

Production of GEnx engines, initially for the Boeing 787 and then for the 747-8, is due to grow from 12 production-standard units in 2007 to 163 in 2009. The GE90, led by the sales surge in the 777-200LR/300ER variants, is also earmarked for dramatic growth with production rising to 170 production-standard units in 2007 compared with 73 in 2005.

''The demand we are witnessing for GE engines is outstanding,'' said Mr William Blair, country director for GE Aviation India.

''This surge in the order book is being led by the GEnx, which will undergo the biggest ramp-up ever for a new high-thrust GE engine.'' In India, GE Aviation is witnessing strong growth powered by a significant number of engine orders from a number of Indian carriers such as Air India (AI), Indian, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, GoAir and Paramount Airways, said Mr Blair.

Initial deliveries scheduled for Indian carriers over the next 15 months include engines for AI and Jet Airways.

In February 2006, AI had ordered GE engines valued at more than 2.2 billion dollars at list price to power its new Boeing 777 and 787 fleets. Initial deliveries of the CFM56-7 engine order for AI Express's 737-800 fleet were made in December 2006.

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