WEST CHESTER, Ohio — Japan Transocean Air (JTA) today announced the purchase of CFM56-7B engines to power 12 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes. The engine order is valued at $260 million U.S. at list price.
JTA will have the flexibility to switch to the LEAP-1B-powered Boeing 737 MAX.
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 obviously very pleased to continue our long relationship with Japan Transocean Air,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. “With the addition of the CFM56-7B to their fleet, they will now reap the benefits of the highest levels of reliability and lowest overall cost of ownership in the industry, coupled with even greater fuel efficiency."
"This new order is testament to the great relationship we have built with JTA,” said Chris Drewer, Asia sales general manager for CFM. “We are proud that JTA has again selected CFM to be such an integral part of their operations over the long term."
All of JTA's new 737s 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.
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.