EVENDALE, Ohio - CFM International (CFM) has received firm orders valued at approximately $2.25 billion for more than 450 CFM56 engines in the first quarter of this year.

These orders build on the momentum CFM achieved in 1997, during which the company garnered about 60 percent of the orders for all commercial aircraft engines. CFM, a 50/50 joint company of Snecma of France and General Electric of the United States, is the world's leading supplier of commercial transport aircraft engines, with sales over the past five years representing 54 percent of commercial aircraft with a capacity of 100 passengers or more.

The major orders announced in 1998 include:

• Southwest Airlines: $600 million for CFM56-7s for 61 Boeing Next-Generation 737s.
• International Lease Finance Corporation: $500 million for CFM56-5 and CFM56-7 engines for 10 Airbus Industrie A320s and 31 Next-Generation 737s, respectively.
• Ryanair: $300 million for CFM56-7 engines for 25 Next-Generation 737s.
• Continental Airlines: $150 million for CFM56-7 engines for 15 Next-Generation 737s.
• China Eastern Airlines: $140 million for CFM56-5B/P engines for 10 Airbus A320s.
• Sabena Airlines: multi-million dollar order for CFM56-5B/P engines equipped with CFM's double annular combustor to power 34 Airbus A320s.