All things to all operators

Manufacturers of commercial powerplants simultaneously tackle fuel efficiency, performance, and life-cycle costs.

A simple fact of life explains why commercial airlines do not care what engine manufacturers do to improve fuel efficiency-only that they do it, and quickly. Continental Airlines flies 18 Boeing 777-200 aircraft powered by General Electric GE90 engines. If the airline could reduce fuel consumption on that relatively small fleet of aircraft by as little as 2% per year it would save as much as $27 million annually.

In the past, manufacturers were willing to improve performance at the cost of durability, reliability, and price. But the priorities for airline operators have changed in the light of the $60/barrel cost of oil.