LE BOURGET - Jet Airways of India has expanded its CFM56 fleet with an order for 10 firm, 10 option Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft powered by the CFM56-7. The value of the firm engine orders is $100 million.
CFM56-7 engines are produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma of France and General Electric of the Untied States.
Jet Airways currently has, in service or on order, 19 Classic 737s powered by the CFM56-3. The airline had previously ordered eight 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft and was the first airline to operate the Next-Generation 737 in Southeast Asia. The Next-Generation 737s will be delivered between 2001 and 2003.
The first CFM56-7-powered 737 was delivered in December 1997 and the engine has had an outstanding first 18 months in service powering the Boeing 737-600/-700/-800 series. Through May, the fleet had logged more than 800,000 flight hours and more than 430,000 flight cycles. By year's end, the fleet will have accumulated 2.5 million flight hours.
The delivery schedule for this engine/aircraft combination during the first year represents the most rapid ramp up in aviation history, with more than 160 aircraft delivered by the end of 1998. CFM has executed its production plan flawlessly and is meeting its delivery commitments. The production schedule will continue to be strong in 1999, with more than 600 CFM56-7 engines scheduled for production this year; 450 Next-Generation 737s will be in service by year end.