based AWAS became a new CFM International CFM56-5B customer today when it announced it has selected the engine to power 45 firm and up to 55 option A320 family aircraft announced by Airbus earlier this year. The firm engine order is valued at more than $600 million U.S. at list price and deliveries are scheduled between 2011 and 2015.
CFM56-5B engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran Group) and General Electric Company.
"We chose the CFM56-5B engine after an exhaustive technical evaluation, which showed it has outstanding reliability and overall cost of ownership," said Frank Pray, CEO of AWAS. "This engine represents great value and enjoys broad market acceptance. We believe they will be an invaluable asset to our customers and, thus, to our portfolio."
"We are excited to welcome AWAS to the CFM family of customers," said Eric Bachelet, president and CEO of CFM International. "They have established themselves as one of the world's leading leasing companies and we are honored by their faith in our products."
In late 2007, AWAS, one of the largest aircraft leasing companies in the world, ordered a total of 31 firm, 19 option CFM56-7B-powered Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. The company serves customers in The Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia/Pacific and owns a portfolio of more than 220 modern aircraft with an additional 128 aircraft on order from Airbus and Boeing. The aircraft portfolio is on lease to over 100 airline customers in 45 countries.
All of AWAS' new CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines will be in the Tech Insertion configuration. This technology will provide operators with a 1 percent improvement in fuel consumption over the life of the product, compared to the base engines. This lower fuel consumption will also lower CO2, reducing these emissions by 200 tons per aircraft per year. Improved analytic design tools have also enabled CFM to further optimize the Tech Insertion combustor so that it will provide 25 percent lower NOx emissions. Over the engine's life cycle, Tech Insertion will also provide AWAS customers with longer time on wing and will lower maintenance costs by between five and 12 percent, depending on the thrust rating.