LEAP engine continues to set the industry standards

The LEAP fleet has accumulated nearly 17 million engine flight hours and eight million flight cycles since entering commercial service in August 2016. Since then, the engine programme has grown exponentially, says GAEL MÉHEUST, President and CEO, CFM, in this one-on-one with CRUISING HEIGHTS

- GAEL MÉHEUST

What are the various types of CFM engines that are operational with Indian carriers?

Indian carriers operate CFM56-5B, CFM56-7B, LEAP-1A, and LEAP-1B engines. There are currently more than 600 CFM-powered aircraft in service or on order with Indian Airlines. Overall, there are currently more than 1,200 CFM-powered aircraft in service or on order in India and Southern Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, powering Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 aircraft.

IndiGo is a key customer and has selected LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of 310 new Airbus A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR aircraft. What are the latest updates?

IndiGo began taking delivery of LEAP-powered A320neo family aircraft in August 2020.

Akasa Air is the newest customer for CFM LEAP-1B engines to power its recent order for Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. What are the updates on this order?

Akasa Air announced in November 2021 the purchase of CFM LEAP-1B engines to power its recently announced 72 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. The agreement, which also included spare engines and long-term services agreement, is valued at nearly $4.5 billion U.S. at list price. The airline is scheduled to begin taking delivery of the aircraft later this year.

How do airlines benefit from the range of advanced technologies on the LEAP with regards to operation and maintenance?

The LEAP engine continues to set the industry standards as the fleet achieves one of the most rapid accumulation of hours and cycles in commercial aviation history. The LEAP fleet has accumulated nearly 17 million engine flight hours and eight million flight cycles since entering commercial service in August 2016.

Since then, the engine programme has grown exponentially. More than 2,500 LEAP-powered aircraft have been delivered to some 136 operators on five continents to date.