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Canadian flag carrier Air Canada has finalized its order for 122 LEAP-1B engines to power 61 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. The value of the firm engine order is US$1.6 billion at list price.
The airline, which has been a CFM operator since 1990 and currently operates a fleet of 89 CFM56-powered aircraft, also has options and rights to purchase for an additional 96 LEAP-1B engines. The LEAP-1B is the sole powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX scheduled to go into production in 2017.
“Air Canada’s investment in its narrowbody fleet renewal is an important element in the airline’s on-going cost transformation program,” said Calin Rovinescu, Air Canada president and CEO. “The introduction of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by CFM LEAP engines is expected to yield significant cost savings and improvements in environmental impact. Our projected fuel and maintenance cost improvements of more than 20 per cent per seat will generate an estimated CASM reduction of approximately 10 percent compared to Air Canada’s existing narrowbody fleet. We look forward to continuing to build on our longstanding relationship with CFM International as we introduce these industry-leading engine technologies.”
“We are honoured to continue our great relationship with Air Canada,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. “CFM is committed to providing industry-leading performance and world class support to our customers and we look forward to introducing the LEAP-1B into their fleet.”
“We are thrilled that Air Canada has entrusted its future single-aisle fleet to the new LEAP engine,” said Kevin McAllister, vice president of sales for CFM parent company GE Aviation. “We have built an incredibly strong relationship with the team there and feel that we understand both their concerns, as well as their goals. LEAP is a truly revolutionary engine and the LEAP-powered 737 MAX will help Air Canada achieve its objectives by providing incredible fuel efficiency, in addition to the industry’s best reliability and world-class cost of ownership.” The first LEAP-1B engine is scheduled to begin ground testing in the third quarter of this year. The engine is part of the most extensive ground and flight test certification program in the company’s history and will encompass 60 engine builds over the next three years and will accumulate approximately 40,000 cycles before entry into service.
The foundation of the LEAP engine is heavily rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental, and materials technology development programs. It will provide 15 per cent better fuel consumption and an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to today’s best CFM engine, along with dramatic reductions in engine noise and emissions. All this technology brings with it CFM’s legendary reliability and low maintenance costs.
