Lufthansa Group, Europe’s largest airline holding, placed an order for a total of 18 engines, distributed among GE9X and GE90s. These powerplants will be used on its 777F and 777XF fleet.
Lufthansa has seven 777-8Fs on order, which will use GE9X engines, and three Boeing 777Fs with GE90 engines. The current order includes 14 GE9Xs and four GE90s. Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, said of the order that «We continue to invest in more fuel-efficient, quieter, and more economical aircraft. In addition, these engines emit significantly less CO2 than the previous generation».
Regarding plans for the company’s fleet, she said, «This purchase allows us to drive the modernization of our fleet with premium products that increase operational efficiency and reduce our company’s fuel consumption and emissions».
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For his part, Russell Stokes, GE’s president and CEO of commercial engines and services, added that «we are proud to continue to build on our relationship with Lufthansa as they continue to modernize their cargo fleet.»
The GE9X, built on the GE90 core with several improvements to the low- and high-pressure sections and a new fan design, is the most powerful engine in history: on November 10, 2017, during a test in Peebles, Ohio, it achieved a thrust of 597 kN, displacing the GE90-115b, which had achieved 569 kN in 2002. The service variant however will generate 490 kN as -thanks to its aerodynamic improvements- the 777X will require less thrust than the 777.
GE also points out that it is the quietest engine ever produced by the company. Thanks to all its improvements, it will reduce specific fuel consumption by 10% compared to the GE90-115B, which will contribute to the 777X’s operating efficiency. Both the GE9X and GE90 are certified to operate on all approved sustainable fuels.
