Honda Aero, Inc., said that it will establish its corporate headquarters and a state-of-the-art jet engine manufacturing plant in Burlington, North Carolina, adjacent to the Burlington- Alamance regional airport. The new facility will produce advanced jet engines developed and marketed by GE Honda Aero Engines, LLC.

GE Honda Aero Engines is a joint venture between GE and Honda Aero, established in 2004 for the development, certifi cation and commercialisation of jet engines in the 1,000 to 3,500 pounds thrust class.

Production at the new engine plant will begin in late 2010 with the manufacture of the advanced and effi cient GE Honda HF120 turbofan engine. The company will invest approximately $27m for construction of the headquarters and manufacturing facility, including equipment.