News
GE Aviation powers up Kenya Airways Boeing 787 fleet
April 5, 2012, Nairobi, Kenya - GE Aviation's GEnx-1B engine has been selected by Kenya Airways to power its fleet of nine Boeing 787 Dreamliners currently on order, with an option for four additional aircraft, which will be delivered in 2013.
April 5, 2012 By Carey Fredericks
GE Aviation Global Sales vice president and general manager, Kevin McAllister, said: "The GEnx-1B engine's thrust capability along with its improved fuel burn and lower emissions and noise will help Kenya Airways achieve its goals of lower operating costs and increasing its performance, both [of] which are elements that are key to its business plan."
Under the contract, GE will supply 19 engines, of which 18 will be used on the nine new aircraft, with each equipping two; the remaining engine will be used as a spare.
Kenya Airways managing director and chief executive, Titus Naikuni, said that the airline had settled on the GEnx-1B engine as GE had designed the engines to provide a base thrust of 70,000lbs to power the Dreamliner aircraft.
"The 787 is expected to achieve between 15-17% fuel efficiency over the 767 with this particular engine type," Naikuni said.
"This will enable the 787 to fly further with more passengers and cargo than the 767," he added.
According to GE, the twin-annular pre-swirl (TAPS) combustor of the engine will cut emissions of NOx gases to about 55% and other gases to 90%.
Based on the ratio of decibels to pounds of thrust, the GEnx will be the quietest engine that functions at slower tip speed, delivering a 30% reduction in noise levels, according to GE.
GE has received about 1,300 orders for GEnx engines from customers around the globe to date.
