Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has signed an agreement with US-based Engine Alliance (EA) for the purchase of GP7200 engines to power its fleet of 10 Airbus A380 aircraft.

It also signed a long-term fleet management agreement for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the engines. The agreements are worth up to $1.5 billion, a statement said.

“The Engine Alliance is proud to confirm Etihad as our customer and to provide a comprehensive support program to fulfill Etihad’s service needs,” said Engine Alliance president Mary Ellen Jones.

“Under this programme, we will help Etihad keep its GP7200 engines in optimum condition to enable them to operate reliably at the lowest cost possible,” she added.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, said: “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.”

“The operational, environmental and economic factors of the GP7200 engines are ideal for the A380 and these aircraft and engines will play a crucial part in Etihad’s ambitious expansion plans over the coming years.”

The GP7200 engine is the leading engine for the Airbus A380 aircraft with 19 GP7200-powered A380s in service and 109 more on order, the statement said.

Emirates and Air France currently operate GP7200-powered A380 aircraft. Other GP7200 customers include Korean Air, which will begin operating the A380 in June, Air Austral and International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), the statement added. – TradeArabia News Service