Engine Alliance orders for 200 GP 7200 engines/ Dubai  

DUBAI - Engine Alliance, a 50-50 joint venture between GE Aircraft Engines and Pratt & Whitney, has captured more than 50 per cent of the announced engine orders for the Airbus A380 that will carry the biggest payload in aviation history and has an initial target range of 7,650 to 8,000 nautical miles.

Speaking on the eve of the Dubai Air Show, Lloyd Thompson, the president of Engine Alliance, revealed that firm orders for about 200 GP 7200 engines have been placed despite 2003 having being a tough year for the world aviation market.

Emirates has placed the largest single order for A380 engines - a total of 88 for the fleet of 22 aircraft ordered in 2001. The first is scheduled for delivery in 2006 and Engine Alliance is now awaiting an engine decision for the additional 21 A380 aircraft that Emirates has since ordered.

Engine Alliance was formed in August 1996 to develop, manufacture, sell, and support a family of modern technology engines for the new high-capacity, long-range aircraft. The two companies are combining experience, resources, and advanced technology to jointly develop the GP7000 engine family for the large aircraft that can carry 450-plus passengers.

By adding state-of-the-art advanced technologies to a solid heritage of proven products, the Alliance and its parent companies are vigorously committed to delivering an engine with unprecedented performance, reliability, environmental levels, and customer value.