EASYJET-GATWICK 04

British carrier easyJet has placed a $3.3bn order with CFM International for 270 engines to power its Airbus A320neo and A320ceo aircraft.

The order includes 200 LEAP-1A engines for A320neo and 70 CFM56-5B engines for A320ceo aircraft.

easyJet CEO Carolyn McCall said: "The engines will help easyJet to maintain its low-cost base and the new generation A320neo is expected to deliver a cost per seat saving of between 11% and 12% compared to the current generation A319.

"They will also provide important environmental benefits through a significant improvement in fuel efficiency and a reduction in noise."

CFM parent company Snecma sales and marketing executive vice-president Gael Meheust said: "This engine will provide unprecedented levels of efficiency and environmental responsibility while maintaining the legacy of aviation’s most reliable product line, the CFM56 family."

"The new generation A320neo is expected to deliver a cost per seat saving of between 11% and 12% compared with current generation A319."

The carrier placed the order for 100 A320neo and 35 A320ceo airliners in July 2013, with purchase rights for an additional 100 new-generation aircraft.

The A320ceo aircraft are slated for delivery between 2015 and 2017, while the A320neo aircraft are expected to be delivered from 2017 until 2022.

CFM has been providing services to easyJet since 1995. The airline currently operates 225 CFM56-5B-powered A320-family aircraft.

The LEAP engine is claimed to offer a 15% improvement in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, compared with other CFM engines.

Ground testing on the LEAP-1A engine commenced in September last year.

The programme comprises all three LEAP engines, and includes 28 ground and CFM flight test engines along with 32 flight test engines for Airbus, Boeing, and COMAC.

Image: easyJet has selected CFM engines to power its A320neo and A320ceo aircraft. Photo: courtesy of easyJet.com.

Defence Technology