LONDON – CFM International, the brainchild of the LEAP engine, benefitted majorly from this week’s Air India order, with more than 800 engines ordered.
CFM will power the airline’s upcoming deliveries of 210 Airbus A320/321neo fleet as well as the 190 Boeing 737 MAXs ordered.
As a breakdown in terms of LEAP engines, the contract is for 420 LEAP-1As and 380 LEAP-1Bs, with Air India also signing a CFM International services contract.
Executive Comments…
Commenting on the engine deal was Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO & Managing Director:
“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”.
Also commenting on the deal was H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., the Chairman & CEO of GE Aerospace:
“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 CFM’s parent company Safran, also added comments to the announcement:
“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.”
CFM’s LEAP Engines Continue Successes…
Such an order is expected from Air India to CFM International, especially due to the majority exclusive chunk of market share they have with the A320 Family and 737 MAX.
Without the successes of the LEAP family in terms of 27 million engine flight hours, 11 million flight cycles, and a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions, the conglomerate wouldn’t have as large a backlog as they do today.
LEAP engines are currently approved to operate on 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with work underway to get it 100% SAF-powered.
This will benefit Air India moving forward, especially if SAF is going to pave the way for cheaper fuel and better environmental emissions.
Overall…
It remains clear that CFM International will benefit from this major engine order from Air India, as it will add to what is already a very healthy backlog for the conglomerate to get through.
With deliveries of Air India’s aircraft due to take place over the next 7-8 years, the Indian carrier will begin to reap the benefits of having a far more efficient fleet than what they currently have at the moment.
For now, all eyes will be on the airline in a few years’ time to see how beneficial the efficiency savings have been using CFM’s LEAP engines.
