Qatar Airways and aircraft engine manufacturer GE Aviation have signed multiple agreements worth $5bn for GEnx and GE9X engines.

Qatar Airways selected the GEnx engine to power the carrier’s 30 new Boeing 787-9 aircraft, along with a TrueChoice flight hour agreement to cover the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services of the engines as part of the agreements.

The company also signed a TrueChoice flight hour agreement on its GE9X engine fleet that will power 60 Boeing 777X aircraft.

Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways has ambitious plans for the future, and we are delighted to have GE beside us as we embark on this journey together.

“These contracts for the GE engines that will power our Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777X aircraft further cement the strong relationship between Qatar Airways and GE.”

GE Aviation has sold more than 2,500 GEnx engines since its launch. These engines burn less fuel and have the longest capable range of any engine available on the 787 aircraft.

The twin-annular pre-swirl (TAPS) combustor technology of GEnx reduces NOx and other regulated gases as per the current regulatory limits, thereby enhancing durability.

According to GE, more than 700 GE9X engines are on order with eight customers. Key features of the GE9X engine include 100,000lb thrust class, a largest front fan at 134in in diameter with a composite fan case, and 16 fourth-generation carbon fibre composite fan blades.

GE vice chairman and GE Aviation president and CEO David Joyce said: “Yesterday’s signing will increase Qatar’s GEnx-powered 787 fleet to 60 aircraft and ensure the airlines’ GEnx and GE9X engines receive the highest level of maintenance and support.”

Separately, Qatar Airways is planning to purchase five Boeing 777 Freighters and large-cabin aircraft from Gulfstream.