Air India has become the latest airline to implement GE Aviation’s ‘360 Foam Wash’ cleaning system.

As an alternative to the ‘water wash’ method, the cleaning solution will help Air India maintain its GEnx-powered Boeing 787 fleet.

GE Aviation said the technology will improve engine performance by reducing the build-up of deposits in the engine and lowering engine exhaust temperatures.

Air India’s director of finance Vinod Hejmadi said: “Air India prides itself on our sustained commitment to adopt innovative technology, like GE’s 360 Foam Wash. This will have a significant positive impact on AI’s fuel efficiencies besides curbing the CO2 emission appreciably.

“In 2022, we expect to attain fuel savings of approximately 230,000 gallons and a reduction of more than 2,200 metric tonnes of CO2 on our fleet of 27 Boeing 787 aircraft, compared to water wash methods.”

According to GE Aviation, the 360 Foam Wash system is self-contained, allowing it to be used inside maintenance hangars or outdoors, and is approved for use on multiple GE engine programs, including models of GE90, GEnx, CF34 and CF6.

Commenting on the partnership, GE Aviation’s South Asia and Indonesia country leader Vikram Rai said: “GE’s 360 Foam Wash is an example of GE Aviation’s innovative maintenance solutions to help keep our engine fleets flying with improved performance for our customers.

“Air India has always been at the forefront of technological developments, and we are delighted that they will be using 360 Foam Wash technology.”

Including Air India, seven airline customers have been awarded licenses for 360 Foam Wash.