SHENZHEN, CHINA September 16, 2003 CFM International has recognized Shenzhen Airlines for the outstanding achievement of reaching 25,000 hours on wing without a single shop visit with two CFM56-3 engines in its fleet. Both engines are still on wing and there are no plans to remove them from service.
CFM56-3C engines, which power the Boeing 737-300/-400/-500 series of aircraft, are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs (Safran Group) of France and General Electric Company. Shenzhen is one of China's most successful, fastest growing low-cost carriers and has been profitable for the past eight years. The airline's fleet is made up entirely of CFM-powered aircraft, including six 737-300s powered by the CFM56-3 and 14 of the new Boeing 737-700s and -800s powered by CFM56-7 engines. Four more Boeing 737-800 will be delivered by the end of 2003. Later in the month, Shenzhen is also celebrating its 10 years of operation.
"We are very pleased to celebrate this major achievement with Shenzhen," said Li Hsi , President of GE Aircraft Engines/CFM International, Greater China Region. "It is testament to the outstanding job the maintenance and ground crews continue to do to support this fleet. Everyone on the CFM Team extends its warmest congratulations."
CFM56-3 engines average 16,000 hours on wing before requiring an initial shop visit, and about 10,000 hours after overhaul.
Overall, there are about 730 CFM56 engines operating in China, of which more than 300 are the CFM56-3 model.