8th Dec 2005 15:00
British Airways PLC08 December 2005 Lift off with new engine deal British Airways has agreed a £1.5 billion engine maintenance contract withGeneral Electric Company (GE), one of the largest engineering contracts awardedin the airline's history. The ten-year agreement will see GE responsible for the maintenance, overhaul andrepair for the airline's RB211-524 and CFM56 engines. The Rolls-Royce RB211 engines power British Airways 57 Boeing 747s and 21 767s.The CFM56 engines power the airline's 32 Boeing 737s and ten of its 26 AirbusA320 aircraft. The CFM56 engines are produced by CFM International, a GE / Snecma 50/50 jointcompany. The new agreement replaces an existing contract with GE, which was due to expireat the end of this year. The agreement could see GE carry out more than 800 overhauls or repairs onBritish Airways' fleet of RB211 and CFM56-3/5 engines. All of the work will be performed at GE's engine maintenance facility inNantgarw, Wales, which employs more than 850 people. Garry Copeland, general manager engineering services at British Airways, said: "In signing this agreement GE has committed to delivering a quality serviceproviding safe and secure operations, on time and at a price which meets ourbusiness need. "We have every confidence that the GE underlying philosophy of continuousimprovement will deliver the high level of service British Airways requires forthe future." Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of engine services operation atGE - Aviation said: "We have a long-standing relationship with British Airways.The agreement shows the continued confidence that the airline has in ourhigh-quality capabilities and will help us to maintain a steady flow of work atour Wales facility." The signing of the agreement follows a two-year review by British Airways of itsengine maintenance arrangements. GE was selected after an online competitive bidding process. The Nantgarw facility performs maintenance, repair and overhaul work on GE90,CFM56-3, CFM56-5, CFM56-7, RB211-524 and RB211-535 engine types. Ends 8 December, 2005 139/JM/2005 For more information: British Airways Press Office 0208 738 5100 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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