General Electric said yesterday that component efficiency improvements on its CF6-80E1 engine would provide up to a 1-percent improvement in fuel efficiency for Airbus’s planned extended-range A330. The airframer announced plans for the new development with an increased maximum takeoff weight at the Farnborough International airshow on Monday. The U.S. engine manufacturer expects to deliver the enhanced engine for the first 240-metric-ton A330 in 2015.

“Since GE Aviation’s CF6-80E1 engine entered service on the A330 in 1994, GE Aviation and Airbus have committed to investing in the engine and aircraft to provide additional benefits to customers,” said Chuck Williams, general manager of the CF6 program at GE Aviation. “The enhancements to the engine and aircraft will allow for an increased payload, greater range and lower operating costs on the CF6-80E1 engine,” he added.

The improvements will become the production standard for all new CF6-80E1 engines, said GE, while current operators can incorporate many of these enhancements at engine overhaul. GE has delivered more than 500 CF6-80E1 engines for the Airbus A330.