General Electric (GE) has confirmed victory in the battle to power the eight Boeing 777-200ERs recently ordered by Japan Airlines. The deal overturns a bid from Pratt & Whitney which provides the power for the airline's present 777 fleet, and further underlines the growing popularity of the GE90 engine.
With 777 orders totalling 538, GE claims to have secured firm orders for 201 aircraft, giving it a 37% share of the market. This overtakes Rolls-Royce which, until GE secured exclusivity on the 777-200LR/300ER versions, had enjoyed the lead on the big twin programme.
The Rolls-Royce share, according to GE's estimates, is now reduced to 35%, with P&W holding the balance. Thanks largely to the exclusive GE90-115B deal to provide engines on the longer range 777s, GE says most orders for the big twin came its way last year.
The JAL order also included CF6-80C2 engines for three 767-300ERs, which, together with the GE90 contract deal, is reckoned to be worth some $350 million to the US manufacturer.
Source: Flight International
