DELHI- In connection with the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India, India’s youngest airline, Akasa Air (QP), and CFM International have jointly announced an agreement for the procurement of 300 CFM LEAP-1B engines to power 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the sale of which was revealed last week.
The comprehensive agreement encompasses spare engines and a services contract.
Akasa Air Orders 300 CFM LEAP-1B Engines
The Mumbai-based airline, which commenced operations in August 2022, had previously placed an order for a total of 76 LEAP-1B-powered 737-8 aircraft, with 22 currently in active service.
Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO of Akasa Air, expressed the significance of this enduring agreement, highlighting the confidence that CFM International places in Akasa Air.
He emphasized the airline’s commitment to operational reliability and unwavering dedication to world-class safety.
Dube also articulated the airline’s confidence in its trajectory to emerge as one of the top 30 leading airlines globally by the end of this decade, with CFM serving as the long-term engine maintenance provider.
Supporting ‘Make in India’
This latest acquisition expands CFM’s presence in India, with over 400 CFM-powered aircraft currently operational and a backlog of 2,500 LEAP engines.
Both GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, CFM’s parent companies, have made substantial investments in India, establishing cutting-edge facilities dedicated to LEAP production and maintenance.
These endeavors align with strategic partnerships forged with Indian aerospace companies as part of the “Make in India” initiative.
8 Years of Success
Gaël Méheust, President & CEO of CFM International, highlighted the notable advantages experienced by customers, including Akasa, with their LEAP-powered fleets, such as a 15 to 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, coupled with the highest reliability and daily utilization rates in its thrust class.
He emphasized that this new order will continue to deliver these benefits to Akasa, supporting their ongoing expansion and playing a pivotal role in India’s economic development.
The LEAP engine family has achieved the fastest accumulation of flight hours in commercial aviation history, surpassing 45 million engine flight hours and 18.7 million flight cycles.
Since its introduction in 2016, the LEAP engine has contributed to saving over 30 million tons of CO2 compared to equivalent flights with previous-generation engines.
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