CFM Benefits from F’borough Airliner Orders

Orders for airliners announced here at the Farnborough International Airshow are also adding to demand for CFM International’s turbofans, according to the engine manufacturer (Outdoor Exhibit 22, Hall 3 Stand 100). The 30 Boeing 737 MAX 200s Xiamen Airlines ordered here will be powered by 60 of CFM’s LEAP-IB engines, a contract valued at $980 million, CFM said. (The airliner order requires approval from the Chinese government before consummation.)

Additionally, Standard Chartered Bank said it has chosen CFM56-7BE engines to power the 10 Boeing 737-800s it announced purchasing here. “The CFM engines in our portfolio have always been solid performers for us,” said Kieran Corr, head of aviation finance at Standard Chartered, whose current portfolio includes 49 Airbus aircraft powered by CFM56 engines. Meanwhile, CFM and TAP Portugal announced here the selection of LEAP-1A engines to power the fleet of new Airbus A320neo/A321neo jets the airline contracted last November, adding 83 of the highly efficient turbofans to CFM’s order book. TAP Portugal has been operating CFM-powered aircraft for more than 25 years, noted Fernando Pinto, the airlines’ CEO. “We look forward to introducing the LEAP engine into our fleet,” Pinto said.

CFM is a joint partnership between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.