Le Bourget, Paris: Etihad Airways on Tuesday announced a $14 billion (Dh51.49 billion) aircraft engine order at the Paris Air Show, which could become the largest engine order in commercial aviation history if the Abu Dhabi-based airline exercises all options and purchase rights.
Etihad chose GE Aviation, Rolls-Royce, Engine Alliance and International Aero Engines (IAE) to power the new Airbus and Boeing fleet that the UAE's national carrier ordered at last year's Farnborough air show.
"The firm orders are for 239 engines, which includes 19 spares, is worth $7 billion at list prices, including maintenance contracts," said Etihad.
It said that if all options and purchase rights are exercised, the total number of engines will be 469, at a list price value of more than $14 billion, including maintenance contracts.
The firm engine orders placed by Etihad at the Paris Air Show are for 78 GEnx engines to power its 35 new Boeing 787 aircraft, 45 Engine Alliance GP7200 engines to power its 10 new Airbus A380 aircraft, 44 IAE V2500 engines to power its 20 new narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft, 50 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines to power its 25 new Airbus A350 aircraft and 22 GE90 engines to power its 10 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
At Farnborough, Etihad placed one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history. The total deal for up to 205 wide- and narrow-body planes is worth about $43 billion at list prices. It comprises 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights in a combination of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
The new aircraft and engines are scheduled for delivery between 2010 and 2020 and when delivered will give Etihad Airways a fleet of more than 150 aircraft.
The new aircraft and engines are scheduled for delivery between 2011 and 2020.
"Despite the tough economic challenges currently facing the aviation industry, Ethihad continues to roll out its long-term expansion plans in a measured, considered and controlled manner,"said James Hogan, Etihad chief executive.
"A key selection criterion in all of the deals has been the environmental performance of the engines. The engines Etihad Airways has chosen for its wide-body long range aircraft are amongst the most technically advanced and fuel efficient available and will help maintain the airliner's fleet as one of the greenest in the sky," Hogan added.
"The new aircraft and engines demonstrate the confidence we have in our plans for sustainable future growth. These plans will establish Etihad Airways as the world's leading airline and our hub of Abu Dhabi as a leading global centre of commerce and tourism."
Currently, Etihad operates a fleet of 42 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, powered by a combination of Rolls-Royce, GE, CFM and IAE engines. The airline flies to more than 50 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North America and this year is on course to carry seven million passengers.