NAHA, OKINAWA, Japan— 30 May 2014 — At a special celebration here today, Japan Transocean Air (JTA) finalized its order for CFM56-7B engines to power 12 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes.
The order was originally announced on 27 March 2014.
Based in Naha, Okinawa, JTA is a member of the Japan Airlines Group and a long-time CFM customer. The airline currently operates a fleet of CFM56-3-powered 737-400 airplanes on domestic routes linking Okinawa with major Japanese cities as well as other islands within Okinawa.
"We are truly honored to be part of this event today,” said Chris Drewer, general manager of Asia-Pacific sales for CFM International. “Not only are we celebrating the introduction of a new airplane type for great long-term customer, we are also celebrating the fantastic relationship that exists between JTA, Boeing, and CFM. We have accomplished so much together already, and we are just getting started. Going forward, our unwavering commitment is to showing them the level of industry-leading technology and world-class customer support on which CFM stakes its reputation every day.”
All of JTA's new 737-800s will be powered by the CFM56-7BE engine, the new production configuration introduced in mid-2011. CFM used advanced computer codes and three-dimensional design techniques to improve airfoils in the high- and low-pressure turbines for better engine performance. In addition, the company improved engine durability and reduced parts count to achieve lower maintenance costs. When combined with airplane improvements, the engine provides two percent better fuel efficiency and up to four percent lower maintenance costs.
The airline will have the flexibility to switch to the LEAP-1B-powered Boeing 737 MAX in the future. The foundation of the LEAP engine is heavily rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental, and materials technology development programs. It will provide 15 percent better fuel consumption and an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to today’s best CFM engine, along with dramatic reductions in engine noise and emissions. All this technology brings with it CFM’s legendary reliability and low maintenance costs.
The LEAP-1B is the sole powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX schedule to go into production in 2017. CFM has been the sole engine supplier for all Boeing 737 aircraft models since 1981.
About CFM International
CFM56 engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE, and the world’s leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines, with more than 26,000 delivered to 530 operators around the globe.