Emirates has signed a $16 billion (AED 59 billion) deal with GE Aviation at the Dubai Airshow. The 12-year deal will see the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) GE9x engines that will power the airline’s fleet of 150 Boeing 777X aircraft. The agreement is said to be the airline’s largest engine MRO contract to date. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group said: “Operating a modern and efficient fleet is at the foundation of Emirates’ success. Aircraft and engine purchases are long-term investments. It is also a commitment that involves many other related services over the life-span of the aircraft, generating and sustaining jobs throughout the aviation supply chain. “Emirates currently operates GE engines on over 100 Boeing 777 in our fleet. Over the years, we have built a successful relationship with the GE team, and we cooperate in many areas including technology and innovation sharing, and also at our state of the art engine maintenance centre in Dubai. We look forward to extending this partnership to our GE9X-powered Boeing 777X fleet.”