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Emirates signs $16b MRO deal

Dubai - Airline's engine transactions tally has crossed $25 billion mark in 2015 so far.

Emirates airline on Monday signed its largest engine MRO contract todate worth $16 billion with GE Aviation for its 777X fleet.
The deal signed on the second day of Dubai Airshow 2015 is an OnPoint solution agreement with GE Aviation for the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the GE9X engines that will power the airline's fleet of 150 Boeing 777X aircraft over a period of 12 years. This is Emirates' largest engine MRO contract to date.
At the 2013 Dubai Airshow, Emirates placed a record $76 billion order for 150 Boeing 777X twin-engine aircraft, powered by GE's new GE9X engine. The single-largest order by value in the history of US commercial aviation, it included 300 units of GE9X engines, alone worth $16 billion at list price. It was also GE Aviation's largest-ever commercial jet engine award from an airline.
The Dubai carrier also signed a 12-year OnPoint solution contract with GE Aviation worth $36 million, covering the maintenance and inventory support for various avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems on all Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft in currently service and the 44 more 777-300ERs on order.
GE will provide the maintenance and support services for Emirates' Boeing 777 fleet with a strengthened local programme management and stock support in Dubai, supported by GE's global repair, overhaul and logistics facilities in the UK, the US, and Asia.
"Operating a modern and efficient fleet is at the foundation of Emirates' success. Aircraft and engine purchases are long-term investments. It is also a commitment that involves many other related services over the life span of the aircraft, generating and sustaining jobs throughout the aviation supply chain," Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates airline and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group, said in a statement. "Emirates currently operates GE engines on over 100 Boeing 777 in our fleet. Over the years, we have built a successful relationship with the GE team, and we cooperate in many areas including technology and innovation sharing, and also at our state-of-the-art engine maintenance centre in Dubai."
We look forward to extending this partnership to our GE9X-powered Boeing 777X fleet," Shaikh Ahmed said.
David Joyce, president and CEO of GE Aviation, said: "The relationship between GE and Emirates remains strong, and the finalisation of the GE9X OnPoint agreement further extends our partnership well into the future. The OnPoint solution agreement will allow us to provide comprehensive MRO support along with OEM parts and work scopes to ensure the engines remain in peak operating condition."
OnPoint solutions are customised service agreements tailored to the operational and financial needs of each airline customer. These agreements are designed to help lower the customers' cost of ownership and maximize the use of their assets. Backed by GE's global support network, OnPoint services may include overhaul, on wing support, new and used serviceable parts, component repair, technology upgrades, engine leasing, integrated systems support and diagnostics and integrated systems.
Emirates is the world's largest operator of the GE90-powered Boeing 777-300ERs, with more than 100 aircraft in fleet and over 40 units more pending delivery. Emirates also operates the largest fleet of A380s powered by the GP7200 engine produced by the Engine Alliance, a joint company of GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney.
The relationship between GE Aviation and Emirates has extended beyond the delivery and support of jet engines, with GE playing an integral role in the construction of Emirates' expanding engine overhaul capability at its new and advanced engine maintenance centre in Dubai.
With a fleet of 242 aircraft, Emirates currently flies to more than 140 destinations in 80 countries around the world. More than 1,500 Emirates flights depart Dubai each week on their way to destinations on six continents.
- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com