GE Capital Aviation Services, the aircraft leasing arm of General Electric, has announced a commitment to order 10 Boeing 787-10X Dreamliners equipped with GEnx engines, subject to the 787-10 programme launch.
Announced at the Paris Air Show on Monday, the commitment is not a firm order but the companies expect to be able to confirm this soon.
“We have studied the capabilities Boeing is developing for the 787-10X and anticipate strong demand from our airline customers for this airplane,” said GECAS president and CEO Norman C.T. Liu.
The 787-10X will be a perfect complement to our broad portfolio of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft offering the lowest operating costs in the market.”
Boeing says the commitment from GECAS demonstrates there is wider demand for 787-10X in the leasing industry.
The 787-10X would be the third and largest member of the 787 family and has been developed by Boeing to specifically fulfil leasing company needs. The 787-10X under consideration would add approximately 15% passenger capacity over the 787-9 with superior fuel efficiency to serve medium and long-haul markets.
“GECAS enjoys an outstanding reputation and its influence is substantial,” said Ray Conner, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“When GECAS makes a decision about how to build its fleet, the industry takes note. Its commitment to the 787-10X is a strong statement about the capabilities of this highly efficient airplane.”
Once confirmed, these 787s will bring the total number of airplanes GECAS has ordered from Boeing to 598 since 1995. To date, GECAS has taken delivery of 444 of the airplanes.
Last week Boeing celebrated 75 years working in the UK. The event was marked by a large article in the The Times and a commemorative book.
