GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE)'s CFO took the stage at the Morgan Stanley Conference with a fairly simple message: airlines aren't changing their fleet plans. Parked aircraft levels remain very low, which is the kind of detail that matters more than it sounds like it should.

GEnx Deliveries Remained Strong

GEnx engines have now reached 50 million cycles, the fastest among GE Aerospace's wide-body platforms, the company said.

The installed base is expected to double from 2024 to 2030, with more than 2,000 engines in backlog and a win rate above 95% since 2022.

GEnx deliveries rose 50% year over year in the second quarter, with further growth expected in the third quarter.

GE Aerospace began shipping GE9X engines with the improved mid-seal to Boeing in the third quarter, while aircraft retirements remain down year over year.

The CFO expressed confidence that the GE9X mid-seal issue will not delay Boeing's (BA) 777X's entry into service next year.

Recovering Air Traffic

Air traffic recovered in July and August after a second-quarter decline, while airlines maintained their long-term fleet plans.

Parked aircraft remain low, retirements fell about 10% year over year in 2026, and GE Aerospace's removed engines awaiting shop induction rose about 60%.

Commercial engine services are expected to grow more than 20% in 2026, supported by approximately $170 billion in multiyear services backlog.

GE expects low-double-digit defense growth with margin expansion, more than $1.5 billion in profit growth and 100% free-cash-flow conversion in 2026.

Makes Supply Chain Bet With CPP Acquisition

This month, GE Aerospace plans to acquire Consolidated Precision Products (CPP) for $11.75 billion from Warburg Pincus and Berkshire Partners, expanding its casting capacity amid strong commercial aviation, aftermarket and defense demand.

The company expects about $200 million in synergies by year three, doubling by year six, with EPS and free-cash-flow accretion in the first year and double-digit ROIC within a few years of closing.

GE also expects the deal to improve CPP's delivery performance and support development of a cooler-running airfoil designed to enhance engine durability. In-house casting expertise could also speed new airfoil technologies to customers.

GE Price Action: GE Aerospace shares were down 0.11% at $313.12 at the time of publication on Friday, according to market data.