GE Aerospace and Qatar Airways have announced a landmark agreement to expand their long-term partnership, signing the largest widebody engine deal in GE Aerospace’s history. The deal was signed during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Doha.
As part of the agreement, Qatar Airways will purchase more than 400 GE engines. This includes 60 GE9X engines and 260 GEnx engines, along with spare units and options. These engines will power the airline’s new Boeing 777-9 and 787 aircraft.
This deal builds on Qatar Airways’ earlier order of 188 GE9X engines, increasing the total to 248. The additional GEnx engines will support the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet and supplement its previous order of 124 units. Together, these deals reinforce the airline’s focus on performance, fuel efficiency, and sustainability.
The agreements also include long-term service contracts. These cover maintenance, repair, and overhaul for both the GE9X and GEnx engines, ensuring reliability and reduced downtime for the fleet.
Qatar Airways Backs Next-Generation Technology
Qatar Airways Group CEO, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, welcomed the expanded partnership.
“Our latest agreement with GE Aerospace shows our trust in the performance of the GE9X and GEnx engines,” he said. “These advanced engines will power our future Boeing 777-9 and 787 aircraft and help keep our fleet modern and efficient. We are planning for strong future growth, and GE Aerospace is a key part of that journey.”
GE Aerospace Celebrates Historic Milestone
GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp Jr. described the agreement as a milestone.
“We are honoured to grow our relationship with Qatar Airways,” he said. “This is the largest widebody engine deal in our company’s history. The GE9X and GEnx engines are engineering achievements designed to support long-haul travel with great durability and efficiency. We also appreciate President Trump’s support for this historic agreement.”
About the Engines
The GE9X is the world’s most powerful commercial aircraft engine and the most fuel-efficient in its class. It is used exclusively on Boeing’s 777X aircraft, including the 777-9 and 777-8. It offers a 10% improvement in specific fuel consumption compared to the GE90-115B and features advanced emissions technology.
The GEnx engine, introduced in 2011, is GE Aerospace’s best-selling high-thrust engine. It has logged over 62 million flight hours and powers two-thirds of the Boeing 787 aircraft in operation today. More than 3,600 units are either in service or on order, including spares.
Commitment to Sustainability and Local Talent
Both the GE9X and GEnx engines are certified to operate with blends of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions in aviation.
GE Aerospace also supports Qatar Airways through its On Wing Support program. This ensures engines are maintained with minimal downtime. The company runs a training center in Qatar that helps build a skilled local workforce, contributing to the region’s aviation goals.
