Germania Flug and Bavaria Flug of Germany have each placed orders for CFM56-7 engines to power a total of 14 firm Boeing 737-700 aircraft at a value to CFM International of $115 million.
The CFM56-7 is produced by CFM International (CFMI), a 50/50 joint company of Snecma (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.
Germania, an inclusive tour operator, will take delivery of its 12 new aircraft between late 1997 and mid-1998. The airline currently operates a fleet of 10 Boeing 737-300 aircraft powered by CFMI's CFM56-3 engines. Bavaria Flug, an aircraft leasing company, will also take delivery of its aircraft in 1997. The company has options for two additional 737-700s which, if exercised, will be delivered in 1999. Bavaria Flug currently owns a fleet of two CFM56-powered Airbus Industrie A320s and 14 Boeing 737-300s.
The CFM56-7, rated from 18,500 to 26,400 pounds takeoff thrust, is scheduled to begin ground testing in the second quarter of this year, leading to certification in 1996 and entry into service on the Boeing 737-700 in late 1997. The CFM56-7 also powers the next-generation Boeing 737-600 and the 737-800 models, in addition to the 737-700.