Boullioun Aviation Services, Inc. has ordered 30 firm, 30 option CFM56-7-powered Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft in an engine order valued at $300 million for the firm aircraft.
CFM56-7 engines are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.
Boullioun is an aircraft leasing company based in Bellevue, Washington. Since 1994, it has been wholly owned by The Sumitomo Trust and Banking Company of Japan. The company currently has a portfolio of 30 Boeing 737-300 and -400 aircraft powered by the CFM56-3 engine. The Next-Generation 737s are scheduled for delivery between 2001 and 2006.
The first CFM56-7-powered Next-Generation 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft entered service in the U.S. and Europe earlier this year. The 737-600 began certification flight tests in January and will enter service this year as well equipped with CFM's advanced double annular combustor.
The CFM56-7 was certified in December 1996 at 18,500 to 27,300 pounds takeoff thrust. Since the CFM56-7-powered 737 program was launched, it has become the fastest selling engine/aircraft combination in history. Announced orders now stand at more than 995 aircraft.
CFM is the world's leading supplier of commercial transport aircraft engines, with sales over the past five years representing 54 percent of commercial aircraft with a capacity of 100 passengers or more. In the first six months of 1998, CFM booked firm orders for more than 750 CFM56 engines. Overall, CFM has received orders and commitments for more than 12,000 engines at a value of more than $50 billion; nearly 9,000 of these engines are currently in service with 237 customers worldwide.