FARNBOROUGH July 22, 2004 Kingfisher Airlines, India's new value-based carrier, has selected CFM56-5B engines to power its new fleet of four Airbus A320s.
Also, the airline has taken option orders for eight additional CFM56-powered Airbus A320s. Delivery of the firm aircraft begins in late 2005. Kingfisher begins operations in early 2005 with four leased A320s.
CFM56-5 engines are produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) and General Electric Company, and is the world's leading jet engine supplier.
The CFM56-5 is the best-selling engine for Airbus A320 aircraft. The engine provides customers worldwide with the highest reliability and lowest maintenance costs on this application.
Dr. V. Mallya, chairman of UB group and Kingfisher Airlines, said, "After a careful evaluation, we decided to accept the proposal from CFM. In addition to the engine's history of successfully powering aircraft in Indian operating conditions, the CFM support package clinched the deal."
"We are extremely gratified that Kingfisher has put its confidence in the CFM56-5 engine for both its leased and new A320 fleet," said Pierre Fabre, CFM President and CEO.
"CFM56 engines have a proven track record powering aircraft in India since 1993," said Nam Tran, CFM Regional Sales director. "Kingfisher can count on comprehensive support from CFM."
The high reliability, long on-wing life, and low maintenance costs of the CFM56-5 makes it extremely popular with leasing companies, low-cost carriers, and major airlines worldwide. More than 1,600 CFM56-5B engines have been delivered to date, and the fleet is growing at a rate of about 20 engines per month.
The CFM56-5B-powered A320 fleet currently in service has logged more than 15 million engine flight hours and nine million cycles. The engine maintains a departure reliability rate of 99.95 and an in-flight shutdown rate of just 0.002, among the best in the industry.
There are more than 14,200 CFM56 engines powering aircraft worldwide.