Etihad Airways to Use 360 Foam Wash on GE90 and GEnx-1B Engines

Etihad Airways has partnered with GE Aviation to launch GE’s 360 Foam Wash jet engine cleaning system.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline will use GE’s 360 Foam Wash on the GE90 and GEnx-1B engines on Etihad’ Boeing 777 and 787 fleet.

GE’s 360 Foam Wash is an alternative to the water wash method, and restores engine performance leading to reductions in fuel consumption. The process involves injecting a specially-formulated, proprietary solution that removes dust and dirt particles in the engine. The system is self-contained, allowing it to be used inside maintenance hangars or outdoors.

“GE Aviation shares a commitment to develop innovative solutions in aircraft engine maintenance with the team at Etihad Airways,” said Jean Lydon-Rodgers, Vice President and General Manager of GE Aviation’s After Market Strategic Solutions. “We are learning more about how our engines operate and how they respond in hot and harsh environments than ever before, and our longstanding relationship with Etihad has been integral to that process. The research that has gone into producing GE’s 360 Foam Wash is a shining example of that.”

During technology trials with its GE90 and GEnx engines, the foam wash solution allowed Etihad to improve engine performance by reducing build-up of deposits in the engine, lowering engine exhaust temperatures, and improving engine compressor efficiency. These improvements led to reduced fuel consumption and increased engine time on wing.

Paul Kear, Senior Vice President Technical, Etihad Airways, said, “Through 2021 alone, we expect to realise significant fuel savings and a reduction of more than 7,000 metric tonnes of CO2 for the combined GEnx-1B and GE90 engine fleets, compared to water wash methods. This is just one example of how Etihad and GE can work together to enhance fuel efficiency of the engines that power the backbone of our fleet.

“Etihad’s long-term commitment to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 can only be achieved by working with partners across the industry to harness innovation and develop new technologies that will provide real, incremental benefits with a measurable impact on emissions. As we look towards the rest of 2021, there is potential to expand the scope of collaboration for our shared sustainability objectives.”

See latest Travel Industry News, Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: COVID19, GE, Engines, Foam Wash, Etihad.