GE Aerospace signs deals worth nearly $13b at CIIE

US aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace said on Friday it had signed sales and service agreements worth more than $12.9 billion at the 9th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, a record for the company at the annual event.

The agreements with China Eastern Airlines and MTU Maintenance Zhuhai span engine purchases, spare engines and maintenance support. GE Aerospace has attended all nine editions of the CIIE, which runs through Tuesday.

The China Eastern agreement covers 202 LEAP-1A engines to power 101 newly ordered Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, as well as spare engines and long-term services, GE Aerospace said in a statement.

GE also signed a separate agreement with the airline for 14 spare LEAP-1A, LEAP-1C and CFM56-7B engines.

The LEAP engines are produced by CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and France's Safran Aircraft Engines.

"An airline's success depends not only on the reliability and fuel efficiency of its engines, but also on reliable support and services," He Xiaoqun, executive vice-president of China Eastern, said in CFM's announcement.

GE said its agreements with MTU Maintenance Zhuhai cover aviation materials and engine component repairs. The maintenance company is a joint venture between Germany's MTU Aero Engines and China Southern.

Maintenance also featured in GE's exhibits at this year's edition of the CIIE, where the company introduced an inspection system developed by its China team.

Making its debut at the expo, the Borescope Inspection Analyzer uses a camera to examine engine interiors and artificial intelligence to study the images, helping inspectors identify small abnormalities that may be difficult to spot with the naked eye.

The company also showcased its maintenance network in China, which includes partner and authorized maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, engine parts warehouses and an on-site support and quick-repair facility in Shanghai. The network covers all GE Aerospace and CFM International engine models in service in China, according to the company.