Etihad signs $1.5 billion engine deal

Breaking News: Etihad has signed a long-term deal for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the engines and is worth up to US$1.5 billion (Dh5.05bn)

ABU DHABI // Etihad Airways signed agreements with Engine Alliance, a venture between GE and Pratt & Whitney, for the purchase of GP7200 engines to power its fleet of 10 Airbus A380 aircraft.

The agreement comes with a long-term deal for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the engines and is worth up to US$1.5 billion (Dh5.05bn).

The GP7200 is one of two engine types, in addition to the Rolls-Royce Trent 900, used to power the world's largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A380. Emirates and Air France currently operate GP7200 engines on A380 aircraft, while other customers include Korean Air, which will begin operating the A380 in June, Air Austral and International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

"The GP7200 engines, provided by the Engine Alliance in this agreement, will offer significant fuel efficiencies and cost optimisation for Etihad's first Airbus A380s when they enter our fleet from 2014," said James Hogan, the chief executive of Etihad.