CFM Logs Orders for More than 160 CFM56-7B Engines to Power Boeing Next-Generation 737 Aircraft

June 23, 2011

At the 49th edition of the Paris Air Show here, CFM International received orders for CFM56-7B engines to power at total of 81 Boeing Next-Generation 737 family aircraft. The total value of these engine orders is approximately $1.6 billion U.S. at list price.

• June 22: UTair Aviation, the largest 737 operator in Russia, ordered 33 Boeing737-800s and seven 737-900ER aircraft;
• June 21: Malaysia Airlines exercised options to purchase 10 737-800 aircraft;
• June 21: Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (Norwegian) ordered 15 737-800 aircraft
• June 20: Air Lease Corporate announced its plan to purchase 14 737-800s.
• June 20: MIAT Mongolian Airlines orders two 737-800s.

All of the aircraft will be powered by the CFM56-7BE, which is the new production configuration for the engine and is on schedule to enter commercial service in July 2011. The CFM56-7BE-powered Next-Generation 737 enhanced airplane/engine combination will provide a 2 percent improvement in fuel consumption, which, in turn, equates to a 2 percent reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, the enhanced -7B will provide up to 4 percent lower maintenance costs, depending on the thrust rating.

CFM is using advanced computer codes and three-dimensional design techniques to improve airfoils in the high- and low-pressure turbines to improve engine performance. In addition, CFM is improving engine durability and reducing parts count to achieve lower maintenance costs.

The CFM56-7B is the sole powerplant for the Boeing Next-Generation 737 family of aircraft. Today, more than 7,450 engines have been delivered to 190 operators around the globe and the company has a backlog of more than 4,000 engines still to be delivered.

CFM56-7B engines are a product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and GE and the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines.