Flight International Online news 09:30GMT: Korean Air (KAL) has chosen the General Electric GEnx engine to power its new fleet of Boeing 787-8s with first engine deliveries expected to occur in 2009.
The South Korean flag carrier says in a statement today the firm engine order with GE is worth $240 million and the engines will power the 10 787-8s it has on order. The SkyTeam carrier says there is also an opportunity for additional GEnx engine orders because KAL has options for 20 more 787s.
It says the first GEnx engines will be delivered in 2009, about two years after the engine type is due to be certified.
“We are pleased to announce this milestone – a renewed partnership with GE aircraft engines,” KAL chairman and CEO Yang Ho Cho says in the statement.
“GE’s proven reliability and efficiency in addition to cost advantages of the new engines were exactly what KAL was seeking in our search for a supplier,” he adds.
The other manufacturer that offers engines for the 787 is Rolls-Royce. Most of KAL’s current fleet is powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
LEITHEN FRANCIS / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
