Etihad blesses engine makers with historic $14B in orders

By: Ian Sheppard

June 17, 2009
Engines

Etihad Airways has completed engine selections for the massive aircraft orders it revealed at last year’s Farnborough airshow, in deals now totaling $14 billion in estimated value. As indicated at the time, it has opted for General Electric GEnx-1Bs for the 35 Boeing 787-9s it ordered, having already confirmed that it would use GE90-115Bs to power the 10 Boeing 777-300ERs.

The Farnborough deal included firm orders for 100 aircraft and options, and purchase rights for a further 105, for delivery between 2011 and 2020.

The 25 A350s that were part of the Farnborough order-fest will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000XWBs, Rolls currently being the sole engine supplier for the type. Etihad’s 20 A320s will be powered by IAE V2500 engines.

Finally, the Abu Dhabi-based airline said it was able to complete the picture by revealing that Engine Alliance GP7000 engines would power the 10 A380s it has ordered from Airbus. This made it a good day for GE, which forms the Engine Alliance with Pratt & Whitney.

James Hogan, CEO of Etihad, said that the aircraft are for delivery between 2010 and 2020 “when our fleet will peak at 150 aircraft.” The total engine count, including 19 spares, will be 239–worth $7 billion at list prices, including maintenance contracts.

If the airline exercises all the options and purchase rights, the total would be 469 engines valued at more than $14 billion. “This represents the largest engine order in commercial aviation history,” Hogan concluded.  

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