GE9X Engine Mid-Seal Durability Issue Won't Delay 777X Entry

GE Aerospace's GE9X engine has been facing issues with its mid-seal durability. However, according to Chief Financial Officer Rahul Ghai, this problem won't delay the entry into service of the Boeing 777X aircraft next year.

The issue was first identified in February and a potential root cause was found in April. GE redesigned the part and began shipping new engines with the improved seal in the third quarter. Testing has shown that the redesigned mid-seal is more durable than expected, giving GE 'a huge degree of confidence' in its performance.

GE expects FAA certification of the redesigned part within a few months. In the meantime, existing seals can be used for certification work, including ETOPS testing. The company's engineers have already incorporated the new design into production engines and are confident that it will not impact the 777X program's schedule.