Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) has signed a contract to purchase 41 firm, 35 option Boeing 737-600 aircraft powered by CFM56-7 engines. The total value of the engine portion, including spares, is nearly $600 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.
SAS launched the CFM56-powered Boeing 737-600 earlier this year with a Memorandum of Understanding for engines to power 35 firm, 35 option aircraft (CFMI announced this MOU in March). The signed contract includes six additional firm aircraft and the airline will begin taking delivery in August 1998.
SAS is a consortium formed by the national airlines of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. This is the airline's first CFM56 order, and it selected the CFM56-7-powered Boeing 737-600 after an exhaustive analysis of many aircraft/engine combinations. One of the strongest factors behind the decision was the optional Double Annular Combustor (DAC) that CFMI offers on the CFM56-7.
The environment, specifically aircraft emissions, has become a major issue in Europe, and Nordic airlines have taken the lead in addressing this issue. CFMI has proven with the CFM56-5B that DAC technology can reduce NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions by more than 40 percent compared to a -5B equipped with a standard technology combustor. CFMI is the only engine manufacturer currently offering DAC technology in this thrust range.
The CFM56-7, rated from 18,500 to 26,400 pounds takeoff thrust, is currently undergoing a very successful ground test program and is scheduled for flight tests and certification in 1996.