Air Pacific will become the South Pacific's first operator of CFM International's advanced CFM56-7 engine. The airline has placed a $30 million order for CFM56-7 engines to power three new Boeing 737-700s.
CFM International (CFMI) is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.
"We're delighted that Air Pacific, already a long-time CFM56-3-powered 737 customer, has chosen to continue this relationship with the CFM56-7," said Jack Lutze, CFMI vice president and sales director for Australia. "The level of confidence this airline has shown in our products validates the success of the plan we have had since the beginning: to build the most reliable, cost-effective engines in the industry."
Air Pacific, which is based in Nadi, Fiji, plans to use the new aircraft for routes between Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific Nations, and Fiji.
The CFM56-7 has successfully completed all required engine tests and certification is scheduled of later this year. The first compliance engines have been delivered to Boeing for installation on the 737-700 for flight tests in early 1997.