Saudi carrier Riyadh Air has signed a deal for 90 GEnx-1B engines to power its new fleet.
The order also includes spare engines and a TrueChoice services agreement.
It follows the carrier’s recent agreement for 39 confirmed Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft (with an option to acquire 33 more of the widebody aircraft).
The latest deal for the GE engines, spares and services agreement was signed at the Paris Air Show.
The GEnx engine family reportedly has nearly 50 million flight hours since entering service in 2011. It is also the fastest-selling, high-thrust engine in GE history with nearly 3,000 engines in service and on backlog, including spares.
The GEnx-1B powers two out of every three 787 aircraft in service. The engine also provides a 1.4 per cent fuel burn savings for the typical 787 mission compared to its competition, equating to US$300,000 per airplane per year in fuel savings. Additionally, that fuel savings also enables more than 2 million fewer pounds of CO2 per aircraft annually.
Watch: Riyadh Air aircraft lands after low-altitude flight over Saudi capital
GEnx uses lightweight, durable materials and advanced design processes to reduce weight, improve performance, and lower maintenance, making it well-suited for long-haul flights.
Russell Stokes, president and CEO of Commercial Engines and Services for GE Aerospace added, “We are proud to partner with Riyadh Air to support its new fleet and fulfil its vision for long international routes. GE Aerospace’s GEnx engine is a perfect fit for the 787 fleet with its combination of power and the ability to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.”
Riyadh Air was unveiled in March, and this deal marks the first engine partnership with GE Aerospace for its new fleet. The first deliveries are scheduled for early 2025 which is when the airline is expected to commence passenger operations.
Tony Douglas, chief executive officer of Riyadh Air, said, “The agreement highlights our determination to significantly extend Saudi Arabia’s connectivity with the world and fulfil our goal of connecting to 100 destinations by 2030. We look forward to fostering strong strategic relationships within the wider aviation ecosystem as we continue to shape our new digitally native airline to become one of the most sustainable and guest-centric carriers in the world.”
(Image: Sourced from Riyadh Air Media Centre)