GE Aviation has delivered its final CF6-80E1 production engine to China Airlines for its Airbus A330 fleet.

China Airlines have operated CF6 engines for almost 20 years with the CF6-80C2 and CF6-80E1 engines powering its aircraft fleet. GE Aviation and China Airlines signed a 15 year material agreement in 2016 and established a local material storefront in the region to reduce turn time on spare parts for use in the overhaul of its CF6-80E engines.

The CF6 engine celebrated 50 years of revenue service in August. The engine established a strong foothold for GE in the civil aviation segment. Built on the technology of the TF39 military engine, GE's CF6 engine family grew to include the CF6-50, CF6-80A, CF6-80C2, and CF6-80E1 engine models, which have accumulated more than 460 million engine flight hours.

“As one of GE Aviation's largest customers in Asia, we are honoured to receive the final CF6-80E1 production engine,” says China Airlines senior vice president, Houng Wang “The CF6 engine has played a significant role in our airline's success, and this delivery marks another milestone in our long history of collaboration with GE.”

“China Airlines and GE Aviation have worked together for many years, and we are privileged to deliver the final CF6-80E1 engine to them,” says Mike Kauffman, CF6 general manager at GE Aviation. “The CF6-80E1 engine was the final CF6 engine model to enter service in 1994, and it continues to perform well on the A330.”

While the CF6-80E1 engine marked the end of production for the most powerful CF6 engine variant, it is seeing a growing interest in the passenger to freighter conversion of A330s.

"The CF6 engines power more than 65% of the all widebody freighters," adds Kauffman. "The CF6-80E1 engine provides freighter operators with thrust flexibility along with the better performance retention, lower fuel consumption, outstanding reliability, and longer time on wing than other A330 powerplants. With 67% part commonality with the CF6-80C2 engine that is still in production, freight operators have direct access to new spare parts along with GE Aviation's used serviceable material. With this combination of superior product attributes and flexible maintenance solutions, CF6 will continue to serve the next generation of A330 converted freighter operators."