Budiey
AirAsia inks deal with CFM International for new aircraft engine
AirAsia’s 200 A320neo aircraft order will be powered by CFM International’s LEAP engine
PARIS, 23 JUNE 2011 – AirAsia confirms that their confirmed order of 200 Airbus A320neo aircraft will be powered by CFM International’s technologically-advanced LEAP engine at a signing ceremony between AirAsia and CFM International at the Paris Air Show today.
AirAsia Berhad and CFM International were both represented by Tan Sri Dr Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia Berhad and Mr Kevin McAllister, Vice President of Sales, CFM International respectively. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, Deputy Group CEO of AirAsia Berhad and Mr Jean Paul Ebanga, President of CFM International.
CFM International is an equally owned 50/50 joint company, formed in 1974 by Snecma (Safran group), France and GE of the United States to provide management for the CFM56 turbofan-engine program.
CFM International’s technologically advanced LEAP engine is a new centerline advanced high by-pass turbofan engine specifically designed to power future replacements of current narrow-body aircraft. The foundation of the LEAP engine is heavily rooted in CFM and CFM parent companies’ experience, including advanced aerodynamics, environmental, and materials technology development programs.
Tan Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia Berhad commented, “GE Aviation and CFM International has been manufacturing aircraft engines that are fuel efficient and suitable for low cost carriers like AirAsia. Cost efficiency is always a major factor that we consider in all decisions we make for the airline, and the introduction of this new line of LEAP-X engine by CFM International will help us to further strengthen our relentless effort to be cost efficient in our operations.”
“It’s a great feeling when an airline that is already a great customer, but also a thought leader and innovator in the industry chooses to make you such an important part of its operations,” said Kevin McAllister, Vice President of Sales for CFM International. “We are looking forward to a great future with AirAsia and to working hard each day to show that their trust is very well placed.”
AirAsia’s Airbus A320 aircraft are utilized on routes of up to 4 hours throughout AirAsia’s extensive route network covering 130 routes and 63 destinations in South East Asia, China, India and Australia via Bali, Indonesian with a seat capacity of 180.
AirAsia, with its newly placed firm order today for 200 Airbus A320neo aircraft, is now the world’s largest airline customer of Airbus in history. It earlier placed an order for 175 aircraft in December 2007. AirAsia’s A320 aircraft order with Airbus now totals 375 aircraft, with 89 Airbus A320s already delivered. AirAsia’s current fleet of A320 aircraft are powered by CFM56-5B engine.
For more information about AirAsia, visit www.airasia.com or follow them on social media sphere via Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) or Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia).
