Akasa Air Deepens Commitment to Fuel Efficiency and Sustainability with addition of 300 Leap 1B engines.
Akasa Air and CFM International announced the order placed for more than 300 CFM LEAP-1B engines to power 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the sale of which was announced last week, in conjunction with French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India. A servicing contract and additional spare engines are included in the deal. The Mumbai-based operator began operations in August 2022.
Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO of Akasa Air said, “Continuing to partner with CFM as our engine maintenance provider not only reaffirms our focus on operational reliability but equally underscores Akasa Air’s relentless pursuit of world class safety. This significant, long-term agreement is testament to the confidence that CFM International has in Akasa Air. Continuing to partner with CFM as our engine maintenance provider not only reaffirms our focus on operational reliability but equally underscores Akasa Air’s relentless pursuit of world class safety. With CFM as our long-term engine maintenance provider, we remain confident in our path to becoming one of the top 30 leading airlines in the world, by the turn of this decade.”
With over 400 aircraft powered by CFM in operation and 2,500 LEAP engines in backlog, this new order expands CFM’s presence in India. The parent companies of CFM, GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, have also made large investments in India to construct cutting-edge facilities for the production and maintenance of LEAP, as well as to form strategic alliances with Indian aerospace firms in support of the “Make in India” initiative.
Gaël Méheust, president & CEO of CFM International said, “Our customers, including Akasa, are seeing 15 to 20 percent better fuel efficiency with their LEAP-powered fleets and it has the highest reliability and daily utilization rates in this thrust class. Today’s order will continue to bring these benefits to Akasa and support their continued growth, as well as play an important role in India’s economic development.”
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The LEAP engine family has accumulated flight hours at the fastest rate in the history of commercial aviation with more than 45 million engine flight hours and 18.7 million flight cycles. Compared to the same flights using engines from earlier generations, operators have saved more than 30 million tons of CO2 since the LEAP engine went into operation in 2016.
Question – What’s the key takeaway from this deal?
Answer – Akasa Air has secured CFM LEAP-1B engines for 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, solidifying their commitment to fuel efficiency, reliability, and world-class safety.
Question – How does the TATA-Airbus deal benefit India?
Answer – The agreement expands CFM’s presence in India, drives economic development through “Make in India” initiatives, and supports Indian aerospace firms.
Question –What makes the LEAP engine so appealing?
Answer – Customers experience 15-20% better fuel efficiency, enjoy industry-leading reliability, and contribute to CO2 reduction with the LEAP engine.
Note– MRO Business Today is the Principal Media Partner of the 5th MRO SOUTH ASIA SUMMIT 2024 co-located with the MRO XPO INDIA & AIRCRAFT INTERIORS INDIA 2024 to be held on 27,28 & 29 February 2024 at the Le Méridien New Delhi, India.
