Dubai, UAE - Kenya Airways has selected the GEnx-1B engine to power its nine firm Boeing 787 Dreamliners with an option for four additional aircraft.

Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Dr. Titus Naikuni said the airline had settled on the GEnx-1B engine as GE had designed the engines to provide a base thrust of 70,000 lbs. to power the state-of-the-art Dreamliner aircraft for which the airline has placed nine firm orders with an option to buy four more.

“The 787 is expected to achieve between 15-17% fuel efficiency over the 767 with this particular engine type. This will enable the 787 to fly further with more passengers and cargo than the 767. It is also designed to deliver significant reduction in fuel burn and noise,” explained Dr Naikuni. “In addition, the engines are bigger, quieter and more efficient than the Boeing 767 engines, have reduced fuel burn and longer periods on the wing between overhauls. This means the Dreamliner will come with lower maintenance costs and therefore ability to be flying longer,” noted Dr. Naikuni.