GoAir for CFM56-5B engines to power its aircraft

Mumbai, Apr 14: GoAir carrier recently announced that it has selected CFM56-5B engines to power its new fleet of 10 firm, 10 option Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-2007 and the firm engine order is valued at 0 million at list price.

CFM56-5 engines are produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma and General Electric company, and are the world's leading jet engine suppliers, a GoAir release said.

GoAir began operations in late 2005 with two leased A320s and now has three aircrafts in operation on 28 flights covering 14 cities.

The new A320 order is part of the airline's planned expansion plan and it anticipates operating a fleet of 33 aircraft within the next three years.

''The CFM56-5B engine is an ideal match for our A320 fleet,'' said GoAir Managing Director Jehangir (Jeh) Wadia adding, ''the outstanding quality, reliability, and support CFM provides is helping us achieve our goal of providing passengers with the highest quality, lowest cost service on popular holiday and business destinations in India without any compromises. The engine's low cost of ownership will also be a strong contributor to our ability to implement our long-term growth strategy.'' ''We're honoured that GoAir has chosen CFM to be a major part of its future growth,'' said CFM International President and CEO Eric Bachelet. He added, ''Their engines will be the new CFM56-5B Tech Insertion configuration and we're excited to have the opportunity to bring this advanced technology to their operation.'' The CFM56 Tech Insertion program incorporates advanced technologies developed and validated as part of Project TECH56 to provide operators with lower maintenance costs, improved oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, and better fuel burn. CFM56 Tech Insertion includes improvements to the high-pressure compressor, the combustor, and the high and low-pressure turbines.

''CFM56 engines have a proven track record of powering aircraft in India since 1993,'' said CFM Regional Sales Director Nam Tran.

''GoAir can count on CFM56 engine's excellent reliability for its high cycle operation on its increasing network and reputed support from CFM.'' The high reliability, long on-wing life, and low maintenance costs of the CFM56-5B makes it extremely popular with leasing companies, low-cost carriers, and major airlines worldwide. More than 2,100 CFM56-5B engines have been delivered to date, and the fleet is growing at a rate of about 30 engines per month.

The CFM56-5B-powered A320 fleet currently in service has logged nearly 24 million engine flight hours and 14 million cycles. The engine maintains a departure reliability rate of 99.96 percent and an in-flight shutdown rate of just 002, among the best in the industry. There are more than 15,500 CFM56 engines powering aircraft worldwide, a GoAir release added.

UNI