“We are obviously pleased to welcome Qatar Airways to the CFM family. This airline continues to set new standards of excellence in the Middle East and throughout the world, and we are honored to be part of the team. This is the beginning of what will surely become a great relationship,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, President and CEO of CFM International.
The CFM56-5B is the engine of choice for the Airbus A320ceo (current engine option) family and is popular with major airlines, low-cost carriers, and leasing companies alike, having been selected to power 55% of all aircraft currently in service or on order. More than 6,800 CFM56-5B engines have been delivered to date to operators around the globe.
Primary factors behind the engine's broad-based acceptance include its industry's best reliability, durability, low cost of ownership, and world-class customer and product support. The CFM56-5B is the only engine that can power every model of the A320 family, from the small A318 up to the A321, with the same bill of materials.
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 18th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 158 aircraft flying to 146 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.
Meanwhile, CFM International said it has signed orders, commitments, and long-term service agreements for a total of 835 engines at the 2015 Paris Air Show.
“What a great show” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. “In just three days, we more than doubled our total orders for this year, with the CFM56 and LEAP product lines doing very well. More than 80% of the CFM orders and commitments have come from lessors and Asian customers who are pulling the aerospace market forward,” Ebanga noted.
