China Eastern picks CFM LEAP engines for 101 Airbus jets
Dhaka: China Eastern Airlines has selected CFM International's LEAP-1A engines to power 101 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft, along with spare engines and a long-term services agreement.
The contract was signed at a ceremony held at the 9th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, according to a release from the engine maker on November 6.
China Eastern’s new fleet will comprise A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR aircraft. The airline already operates 215 A320neo and A321neo jets with LEAP-1A engines.
It also flies Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC C919 aircraft powered by LEAP-1B and LEAP-1C engines, respectively. Besides, the Shanghai-based carrier operates more than 380 aircraft with CFM56 engines, including A320ceo and 737NG family jets.
Its fleet also includes Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC C919 jets, powered by LEAP-1B and LEAP-1C engines, respectively, while another 380-plus aircraft, including A320ceo and 737NG family jets, run on CFM56 engines.
China Eastern Executive Vice President Xiaoqun He said the engines are helping the airline build one of the industry's most modern fleets. He added that an airline's success depends on engine reliability and fuel efficiency, as well as dependable support and services.
CFM Greater China President Weiming Xiang noted that China Eastern was the manufacturer's first mainland China customer. The relationship dates back to 1985, when China Eastern Yunnan received its first Boeing 737-300 powered by CFM56-3C engines.
In the 10 years since the LEAP entered service, CFM has delivered over 10,000 engines, which have logged more than 100 million flight hours, according to the release.
The company continues to upgrade the LEAP fleet with a high-pressure turbine durability kit to extend time on the wing and a reverse bleed system to reduce the maintenance burden on airlines.
CFM said it is focusing on high engine availability through strong maintenance, repair, and overhaul performance and competitive ownership costs, backed by an open MRO ecosystem.
