Air India and CFM International have signed an agreement for the largest ever CFM LEAP engine order. CFM will exclusively power the airline’s newly-announced fleet of 210 Airbus A320/A321neo and 190 Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft. Air India's firm order for 800 LEAP engines includes 420 LEAP-1A, 380 LEAP-1B, plus spares. Air India also signed a CFM services contract. Air India has been a CFM customer since 2002, when the airline began operating Airbus A320ceo aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines. In 2017, Air India began operating A320neos, becoming the first LEAP-1A powered operator in India.
Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, commented: "CFM has been a longstanding partner of Air India, and we are delighted to take it to a higher level with this significant order for new engines. They will help power a key part of Vihaan.AI, Air India’s comprehensive transformation plan, by dramatically expanding our fleet and global network."
H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace, said: “We appreciate Air India selecting CFM for this milestone order and are proud to continue our longstanding partnership. With the LEAP engine under wing, Air India will be able to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions across its narrowbody fleet.”
Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran, stated: “We are very honored by Air India’s renewed trust in CFM. This historic order is enabling Air India to sustain continued growth and play an important role in the economic development of India. Through our current and future facilities as well as local partnerships, we are fully committed to supporting production and aftermarket activities of the LEAP engine in India.”
The LEAP engine family has achieved one of the fastest accumulations of flight hours in commercial aviation history, amassing more than 27 million engine flight hours and 11 million flight cycles. LEAP operators are reporting more than 15 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions compared to the latest production of CFM56 engines, resulting in an average of more than 17 million tons of CO2 emissions reductions.
CFM is supporting industry initiatives to approve and adopt 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. LEAP engines are compatible with currently approved 50% SAF blends and have successfully flown multiple demonstration flights with 100% SAF.
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