SA Airlink signed a 10-year, TrueChoiceTM Flight Hour agreement with GE Aviation for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the CF34-8E and CF34-10E engines powering its three EMBRAER E170 and 10 EMBRAER E190 aircraft. With this agreement, GE Aviation will be the service provider for all SA Airlink's GE engines.

Neil Wilson, executive manager for maintenance contracts within SA Airlink, said: "The selection of TrueChoice by SA Airlink was based on its capacity to deliver top-quality OEM maintenance and engineering services at a competitive and predictable price and with comprehensive risk transfer in respect of the costs and impacts associated to unscheduled breakdowns and in-service modifications. With this agreement in force, GE is now a partner rather than simply a service provider to SA Airlink in the care of its CF34 engines."

"This agreement demonstrates SA Airlink's continued confidence in GE Aviation's service offerings," said Jean Lydon-Rodgers, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation's Services organization. "We look forward to providing OEM quality material and workscope to SA Airlink's engine fleet to keep their engines flying."

The TrueChoice suite of engine maintenance offerings incorporates an array of GE capabilities and customization across an engine's lifecycle. The TrueChoice suite includes:

TrueChoice Flight Hour helps optimize cost of ownership over the engine lifecycle with flexible risk transfer and payment options.

TrueChoice Overhaul provides time and material overhauls with tailored workscopes specific to shop visit objectives, economic priorities and ownership horizon for one engine or a fleet.

TrueChoice Material offers high-quality new and used OEM parts, advanced repairs and technology upgrades to enhance engine performance and support higher engine residual value.

TrueChoice Transitions includes a range of options for changing ownership horizons, such as green time leases, exchanges and material buy-back, plus customized workscopes with shorter builds and maximum used material. For lessors, GE offers products specifically designed to accommodate a change in owner or operator.

Each of the TrueChoice offerings is underpinned by GE Aviation's data and analytic capabilities and experience to help reduce maintenance burden and service disruptions for customers.

Headquartered in Johannesburg, SA Airlink, is the largest regional feeder airline in southern Africa, linking more customers to smaller towns, cities and regional centres than any other local airline and connecting 37 destinations across nine African countries. For more information, visit www.flyairlink.com.