China Eastern and GE Aviation have signed an agreement extension on Industrial Internet cooperation for the airline's fleet of about 270 aircraft including mainly the A320, A330 and Boeing 737 and 777. The goal of the agreement is to improve China Eastern's operational efficiency and enable fuel savings by analyzing the airline's fleet data to identify cost savings opportunities.

The Industrial Internet, also known as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), refers to a process that incorporates machine learning and big data technology, harnessing sensor data, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication and automation technologies to save time and money and increase efficiency.

Witnessed by Chairman Liu Shaoyong of China Eastern, and David Joyce, President and CEO of GE Aviation, Weiming Xiang, President of GE Aviation Great China and Vice President Feng Liang of China Eastern signed the agreement during a ceremony on 6th April.

The two companies have been working together over the past two years to analyze flight data and using it in a way to identify opportunities for operational savings for the airline. The new agreement will extend this cooperation for a year, during which the companies will work together on flight analytics, engine management analytics and fuel efficiency to bring improved operational productivity to China Eastern's fleet operations.

GE will also provide training programmes to improve China Eastern's engine management capability and also provide six sigma training programmes for China Eastern.