Volga-Dnepr Airlines has returned the world’s largest jet engine to Ohio, partnering with GE Aviation following the GE9X’s successful on-wing testing in Victorville, California.

The airline provided logistics support for the GE9X engine’s return to Ohio for additional testing at GE Aviation’s Test Operations facility in Peebles.

This was the second flight in support of GE’s GE9X programme having previously transported the engine from Columbus to Victorville last November.

Due to schedule requirements, Volga-Dnepr was able to customise flight planning for GE Aviation and bring the return delivery to Ohio forward by two days, saving valuable time and maximising testing hours in Peebles.

The delivery was the culmination of two years of planning and development by GE engineers and Volga-Dnepr’s team of load planning specialists to create a loading platform and handling procedures for GE’s largest next generation jet engine.

Volga-Dnepr Group global director for aerospace, Axel Kaldschmidt says: “This most recent GE9X flight is the latest demonstration of our continuing relationship with GE which began in 1992 with the first airlift of GE90 engines to Boeing. Our partnership will continue to evolve into the future. This partnership has been further enhanced by the implementation of Volga-Dnepr’s strategy to establish an operating base in Houston.

“This gives the airline the ability to work within arm’s reach of our customers, thus ensuring the ongoing cooperation of our technical experts along with sharing a culture of continued innovation with our key partner GE. These efforts are part of our continued commitment to deliver as promised for our customers in the Aerospace industry.”