WEST CHESTER, Ohio -- As part of an extensive single-aisle fleet renewal announcement, American Airlines today ordered CFM56-5B engines to power its new Airbus A319 aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2013 and 2017. The aircraft order was previously announced in July 2011.
The CFM56-5B engine is product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and GE.
"The CFM56-5B is a great fit for our A319 fleet," said Bob Reding, executive vice president of operations for American Airlines. "The CFM56-5B-powered A319s will provide us with substantial fuel, emission and noise benefits, as well as operating synergies with our existing fleet of CFM6 powered aircraft. We are looking forward to introducing the -5B into our fleet powering our new Airbus A319 aircraft."
American Airlines has been a CFM customer since 1996 and the airline currently has more than 300 CFM56-7B-powered Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes in service or on order.
"We are honored to be given this opportunity to be a part of American Airlines long-term fleet strategy and to continue our very successful relationship with this airline," said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International.
"We appreciate the high level of confidence this order shows in the CFM56 product line," said Kevin McAllister, vice president of Sales for CFM. "American is one of our largest CFM56-7B customers and we are pleased to introduce the CFM56-5B into its fleet."
The CFM56-5B engine powers every model of the Airbus A320 family and has been chosen to power approximately 57 percent of all A320 aircraft in service or on order. The high reliability, long on-wing life, and low maintenance costs of the CFM56-5 make it extremely popular with major airlines, low-cost carriers, and leasing companies worldwide.
The CFM56-5B engines for American Airlines are the new CFM56-5B Performance Improvement Package (PIP) configuration. The -5B PIP completed extensive ground testing and more than 26 hours of flight testing on the A320. The engine, which is the new production configuration for the CFM56-5B, entered service earlier this month.
The improvements, which provide a 0.5 percent improvement in fuel burn, include hardware changes to the core, including new high-pressure turbine blade, as well as manufacturing changes the fan and compressor blades and vanes to improve performance retention. The engine will maintain the same noise signature as the current production engine. These engines also meet current International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Committee of Aviation Environmental Protection standards (CAEP /6) requirements.
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection carrier serve 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members and members-elect serve more than 900 destinations with more than 10,000 daily flights to 149 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).
About CFM International
CFM International is the world's largest supplier of commercial aircraft engines. Its product line includes nine engine models for more than 30 commercial and military applications. The company was formed as a joint venture in 1974 and the two parent companies, GE and Snecma, have extended the partnership agreement to the year 2040.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft.
Snecma, a Safran group company, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of commercial and military aircraft and rocket engines, with a wide range of propulsion systems on offer.