National Airlines Orders GE90 and CF6 Engines at Farnborough

National Airlines has committed to purchasing one GE90-110B and six CF6-80C2 engines from GE Aerospace to support its expanding widebody freighter fleet. The agreement, announced on July 23, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow, deepens the cargo carrier’s reliance on GE propulsion systems as it scales its long-haul operations.

In a press release issued by GE Aerospace, the manufacturers confirmed the order will power National Airlines’ growing fleet of Boeing 777-200F and Boeing 747-400F Commercial-Aircraft. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition builds upon the carrier’s existing inventory of 30 CF6 and eight GE90 engines.

Fleet capacity and operational integration

The engine order aligns with National Airlines’ recent capacity growth. The carrier has actively expanded its long-haul Cargo-Aircraft capabilities throughout 2026, taking Delivery of its first Boeing 777-200F in April 2026. A second Boeing 777-200F, registered as N792CA, arrived directly from The Boeing Company’s Everett facility on May 26, 2026.

This fleet expansion directly drives the requirement for additional GE90 engines, which serve as the exclusive powerplant for all Boeing 777 Freighter models. National Airlines currently operates four Boeing 777-200F aircraft and nine Boeing 747-400F aircraft.

“Reliability, performance, and consistency are the foundation of successful air cargo operations, which is why National Airlines has built its freighter fleet around GE Aerospace engine technology,” said Chris Alf, Chairman of National Airlines. “The addition of these CF6 and GE90 engines further strengthens our operational capability, ensuring we have the flexibility, capacity, and long-term resilience needed to support our customers’ evolving requirements for years ahead.”

Engine specifications and market presence

The CF6 engine family remains a cornerstone of global air cargo operations. According to GE Aerospace, CF6 turbofan engines currently power nearly 70 percent of the world’s widebody cargo airplanes. The addition of six CF6-80C2 engines will specifically support National Airlines’ Boeing 747-400F operations.

The GE90-110B engine features a 128-inch diameter front fan equipped with carbon fiber composite blades. During its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification testing, the GE90 engine achieved a world-record setting thrust of 127,900 pounds.

“We’re thrilled that National Airlines continues to invest in our engines after recently purchasing eight GE90 engines,” said Mohamed Ali, President and CEO of GE Aerospace Commercial Engines & Services. “These additional engines will help National meet growing cargo demand and demonstrates their continued confidence in these aircraft-engine combinations.”

AirPro News analysis

We view this engine commitment as a necessary logistical step following National Airlines’ aggressive fleet expansion in the first half of 2026. Securing spare engines is critical for maintaining dispatch reliability, particularly for a cargo operator heavily dependent on high utilization of aging Boeing 747-400F airframes and newly acquired Boeing 777-200F jets. By standardizing around the CF6 and GE90 platforms, National Airlines minimizes maintenance complexity and ensures a predictable supply chain for its global freight operations.

Sources: GE Aerospace via PR Newswire