GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) announced today that its GEnx commercial aviation engine family has surpassed five million flight hours with Japan’s national airline Japan Airlines (JAL), ANA Holdings Inc. (ANA) and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA). Since its introduction to Japan in 2012 by JAL, the GEnx engine has delivered unmatched performance and reliability, now powering a fleet of 68 aircraft and additional 42 aircraft on order across the country.
“The GEnx engine has played a significant role in enabling the growth of long-haul and domestic travel in Japan,” said Katsuya Okano, General Manager, North Asia Pacific, Commercial Engines and Services, GE Aerospace. “This milestone reflects the longstanding relationships we’ve built with JAL, ANA, and NCA, and the role GE Aerospace continues to play in advancing Japan’s aviation sector. We’re honored to work alongside our customers as they expand their networks and serve passengers with greater efficiency.”
Trusted by Japan’s Leading Airlines
GE Aerospace’s longstanding partnerships with JAL, ANA, and NCA reflect sustained confidence in the GEnx engine’s performance and reliability.
Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, GE Aviation, Safran
Download free sample pagesJAL was among the first to select the GEnx engine in 2005 to power its 787 Dreamliner fleet and has since continued to expand its use, leveraging the engine’s efficiency and proven capability to support its global operations. “GE Aerospace has consistently been a trusted partner in our growth journey. As a launch airline for the GEnx engine, we have seen firsthand its high performance, reliability, and efficiency in action. With its demonstrated track record throughout the years, the GEnx engine will continue to support JAL in achieving our long-term goals,” said Kyohei Takizawa, VP of Procurement, Japan Airlines.
ANA ordered the GEnx-1B engine in 2020 and selected an additional order in the first quarter of 2025 to power its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. “We are pleased to build on our longstanding relationship with GE Aerospace as we continue to grow our fleet,” said Ryosei Nomura, VP of Procurement, ANA Holdings Inc. “The advanced design and great innovation behind GEnx give us the confidence that these engines will continue this outstanding performance and contribute to our growth.”
NCA became a launch customer for the GEnx-powered Boeing 747-8 Freighter with its first order in 2005, marking the start of a long-term collaboration focused on performance and operational efficiency. “From the very beginning of our 747-8 Freighter operations, the GEnx engine has delivered the performance and reliability essential for our long-haul cargo missions,” said Toshiaki Kobori, Senior Executive Managing Director, Nippon Cargo Airlines. “GE Aerospace’s continued support has played a key role in maintaining the high operational standards expected in our business.”
Technology That Goes the Distance
Since entering service in 2011, the GEnx engine family has accumulated over 68 million flight hours. It stands as GE Aerospace’s fastest-selling, high-thrust engine to date, with more than 3,600 engines currently in service and backlog, including spare units. Today, the GEnx engine powers two-thirds of all 787 aircraft currently in operation.
The GEnx engine stands out for its high-pressure compressor, lean-burning combustor and lightweight durable composite materials. With the highest pressure ratio compressor in commercial service today, the GEnx has the best fuel efficiency in its thrust class, enabling it to power many of the longest routes.
The GEnx's innovative lean burning twin-annular pre-swirl (TAPS) combustor dramatically reduces NOx and other regulated gases below today's regulatory limits (for take-off and landing). As the world's first commercial engine with both a carbon fiber composite front fan case and fan blades, the GEnx fan module is lighter in weight, corrosion resistant with less line maintenance and improved reliability, and is the quietest engine GE Aerospace produces.
The GEnx-1B provides the highest reliability for the 787, with a 99.98% dispatch rate, four times higher time-on-wing versus the competing engine, and provides for 6% higher aircraft utilization, translating to 22 more days per year of aircraft availability.
Like all GE Aerospace engines, the GEnx can operate on approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends. Its superior efficiency enables it to achieve 1.4% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions compared to the competing engine for typical 787 operation. Built with cutting-edge technology and a track record of reliable performance, the GEnx engine continues to be the engine of choice for long-haul operations worldwide.
