SEPANG, Malaysia — AirAsia has become the first Southeast Asian airline to take delivery of the CFM International LEAP-1A-powered A320neo aircraft. The official aircraft welcoming ceremony (registration number 9M-NEO) was held earlier today near Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
“We are thrilled to receive the Airbus A320neo with the LEAP-1A engine,” said Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia. “The aircraft/engine combination will deliver 15 percent fuel reduction of and additional range capability of 500 nautical miles, which will be translated to low fares for our guests. We are particularly pleased with the environmental element, where the fuel savings translate into some 5,000 tonnes fewer CO2 emissions per aircraft per year, in addition to the double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.”
“We are honored to be part of this incredible team and excited to enter the next phase of our relationship with AirAsia,” said Allen Paxson, CFM executive vice president. “We believe that all of the benefits of LEAP technology — fuel efficiency, improved environmental footprint, industry-leading reliability, low maintenance costs — will have a very positive impact on AirAsia’s operational efficiency and help fuel their continued growth long-term.”
As the single largest Airbus A320 operator in the Asia-Pacific region, AirAsia operates a fleet of 170 CFM56-powered Airbus A320ceos and has ordered a total of 404 A320neo aircraft powered by the LEAP-1A. AirAsia began operations in 2001 and has continued to see steady growth. Today, the airline and its subsidiaries operate close to 1,000 flights per day to more than 120 destinations in 24 countries.
About CFM International
LEAP-1A engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines and the world’s leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines. To date, the company has garnered orders and commitments for more than 11,500 LEAP engines, making it the fastest-selling engine in aviation history.