Finnair Takes Delivery of First CFM56-5B-Powered A320

February 26, 2001

- Finnair further expanded its in-service CFM-powered Airbus fleet today, taking delivery of its first new A320 aircraft with CFM56-5B engines.

CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.

The Helsinki-based Finnish flag-carrier first became a CFM customer in 1998 with an order for CFM56-5B engines to power 12 Airbus A319/A320/A321 aircraft. The airline began taking delivery of the aircraft in 1999 and is currently operating four each A319s and A321s. Finnair will have four A320s, including today's delivery, in service by year end. Last year, Finnair exercised options for six additional CFM56-5B-powered A320s to be delivered in 2002/2003.

All of the CFM56-5B engines in Finnair's fleet are equipped with CFM's advanced double annular combustor (DAC). CFM revolutionized low emissions technology when it introduced the DAC into airline service in 1995. This combustor reduces oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions by 40 percent compared to engines equipped with single annular combustors (SAC). CFM is still the only manufacturer to offer this technology in this thrust class.

Finnair has been extremely pleased with the reliability of its DAC-equipped engines; in more than 52,000 flight hours, this fleet has experienced no in-flight shutdowns, no shop visits, and a 99.92 percent departure reliability rate. CFM56 DAC engines have maintained the same reliability as SAC engines.

"Environmental issues, particularly emissions, are among many airlines' top criteria for new aircraft," said David Cook, CFM sales director. "In Europe, nearly 40 percent of all CFM56-5-powered A320s are equipped with the DAC. We're proud of the technology we developed to help our customers address one of their most important issues."

In addition to Finnair, Air Europe Italy, Austrian, Edelweiss, Sabena Belgian Airlines, Swissair, and Volar have all selected DAC engines for their A320 aircraft.

Jamie Jewell



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+1 513.885.2282

jamie.jewell@ge.com

Charles Soret



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+33 (0)6.31.60.96.79

charles.soret@safrangroup.com

Perry Bradley



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perry.bradley@ge.com

Talal Ahmed Almahmood


+973 173 3819


talal.almahmood@gulfair.com