Aigle Azur has selected the CFM56-5B engine to power a new Airbus A319 aircraft scheduled for delivery in mid-2010.
Aigle Azur, based in Paris, France, operates domestic scheduled passenger services and international services to Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia in North Africa as well as Portugal and Mali. It also operates charter, cargo and wet lease services. The airline has been a CFM customer since 2001, and operates a total of 11 CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft.
"To equip our future acquisition, an Airbus A319, our choice turned to the CFM56 because of its technical qualities, as well as its fuel consumption and emission performance," said Aigle Azur president, Arezki Idjerouidene. "As part of a modernization program and in order to harmonize our fleet, the CFM56-5B will become the only motor of the eleven Aigle Azur aircraft, by the end of 2010."
Selecting the CFM56-5B Tech Insertion configuration will help Aigle Azur reducing its operating costs. Over the engine's life cycle, CFM56 Tech Insertion will provide the airline better specific fuel consumption, which translates to better fuel burn and, as a result, lower CO2 emissions. The engine also meets the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Committee of Aviation Environmental Protection standards (CAEP /6) that took effect in early 2008.
Tech Insertion will also result in longer time on wing through an equivalent 15 - 20° C additional exhaust gas temperature margin; between 5 and 15% percent lower maintenance costs (depending on the thrust rating) through enhanced durability. These benefits are achieved through improvements to the high-pressure compressor, the combustor, and the high- and low-pressure turbines.
CFM56-5B engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran Group) and General Electric Company.