Will Hang The Engines On Its Newly-Ordered 737 MAX Airplanes

South Africa’s private domestic airline operator, JSE-listed Comair Limited, today announced an order for LEAP-1B engines to power eight Boeing 737 MAX 8s, making Comair the first African airline operator to order the new 737 MAX.

The LEAP-1B is the sole powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX schedule to go into production in 2017. This engine order, which is valued at $210 million U.S. at list price, supports Comair’s long-term objective of investing in future technology to ensure continuous sustainability. “This investment in Comair’s fleet upgrade is fundamental to its business strategy of consistently improving customer service and value, while ensuring a sustainable airline,” said Erik Venter, CEO of Comair. “Our decision to make this investment was not taken lightly and is a critical component in managing our exposure to the volatile fuel price and thus minimizing the impact of the fuel price on airfares.”

Comair currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 25 Classic and Next-Generation 737s powered by CFM56-3 and CFM56-7B engines, respectively, on its kulula.com and British Airways (operated by Comair) brands. The airline has four additional Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery in 2015 and 2016.
 
Over the last seven years Comair has reduced its fuel burn per seat by 28% as it continues to upgrade its fleet. This investment will further improve the fuel burn per seat and reduce the impact on the environment. This order for the 737 MAX power by LEAP-1B engines will support future fleet renewal.

“CFM is committed to providing industry-leading performance and world class support to Comair and all of its airline partners,” said Cédric Goubet, executive vice president of CFM. “The LEAP-1B engine ensures double digit fuel efficiency improvement while providing the unmatched reliability of CFM engines. This reliability will help provide Comair with both higher utilization and lower operating costs. We are very excited to see our new engine entering service on the 737 MAX in Comair’s fleet, reinforcing our partnership with this very successful airline.”
 
The first LEAP-1B engine is scheduled to begin ground testing in the third quarter of this year. The engine is part of the most extensive ground and flight test certification program in the company’s history and will encompass 60 engine builds over the next three years and will accumulate approximately 40,000 cycles before entry into service.
 
The foundation of the LEAP engine is heavily rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental, and materials technology development programs. It will provide 15 percent better fuel consumption and an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to today’s best CFM engine, along with dramatic reductions in engine noise and emissions. All this technology brings with it CFM’s legendary reliability and low maintenance costs.

FMI: www.cfmaeroengines.com