With more than $2 billion already invested to establish a series of engines for regional jets, GE Aviation now expects demand for those engines to more than double over the next 10 years. There are already more than 4,000 of GE's CF34 engines powering regional aircraft, those smaller jets that usually carry anywhere from 50 to 120 passengers. Cincinnati-based GE Aviation now says it forecasts the engine fleet to exceed 8,600 by 2018, based on the demand it sees. The six basic models of the CF34 engine family (and 13 variations) provide the power for an array of regional aircraft made by Bombardier, Embraer, and AVIC1.
GE is developing new technologies for the engines, looking for ways to lower maintenance costs, for example. It then feeds that new technologyinto its earlier models, says Chuck Nugent, general manager for CF34 programs. "GE is not taking its leadership role in regional aircraft for granted," he says. This year alone, GE will deliver nearly 500 CF34 engines for regional aircraft, a number that is expected to grow more than 20 percent annually.
Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Rick Kennedy, GE Aviation
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