OREANDA-NEWS. January 14, 2013.  Myanma Airways, the flag carrier of Myanmar, today inaugurated into service, from Yangon to Mandalay, the first of two Embraer E190s leased from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE (NYSE: GE).

“GECAS is delighted to partner with the flag carrier of Myanmar to expand its fleet with two, modern, fuel-efficient aircraft powered by GE engines,” said Antony Snelleman, senior vice president and general manager, GECAS Asia. “This is yet another example of our strategy to build our business in emerging markets and create capacity that will contribute directly to the nation’s economic development.”

These are the first E190s to join the Myanma Airways fleet and will help with the airline’s fleet modernization and expansion.

GE is committed to help Myanmar solve some tough challenges through innovation. Since 2012, GE has secured projects in Myanmar’s healthcare and power sectors. With the delivery of these Embraer E190 aircraft, GE is also contributing to the expansion of Myanmar’s transportation and aviation infrastructure sector. The new aircraft will create capacity that will contribute directly to the nation’s economic development.

These additional aircraft will benefit Myanmar citizens by modernizing the country’s aviation transportation infrastructure. They are modern fuel-efficient aircraft that are powered by CF34-10E engines made by GE Aviation and feature state-of-the-art, fly-by-wire technology that increase operating safety while reducing pilot workload and fuel consumption.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony today at Yangon International Airport officially marked the two airplanes’ entry into service. The ceremony was attended by government and ministry officials, the airport authority, civil aviation authority and local media.

“Collaborating with leading multinational corporations like GE will help ensure Myanmar’s long-term economic growth, giving the country access to new technologies, capacity building and exposure to international standards,” said Myanma Airways Managing Director Than Tun, who also added: “Thanks to companies like GE and their aircraft financing solutions, we can expand our routes to regional markets and better compete with other carriers in the region.”

The Embraer E190, powered by CF34-10E engines made by GE Aviation. Since entering service in 2005, nearly 500 Embraer E190/195 E-Jets are in service with more than 60 airline customers. The aircraft have ranges of up to 2,400 nautical miles (4,448 kilometers) and feature state-of-the-art, fly-by-wire technology that increase operating safety while reducing pilot workload and fuel consumption.

Established in 1948, Myanma Airways is the only state-owned airline of Myanmar, currently serving all major domestic destinations from its main base at Yangon International Airport. This is the first transaction between the airline and GECAS.