Industry Odisha Bureau, Jul 21: IndiGo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CFM International to purchase more than 1,000 LEAP-1A engines to power 510 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, marking the largest single order ever placed for LEAP engines and a record for CFM International.
The agreement also includes CFM’s support in setting up IndiGo’s upcoming engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru. In addition, the partnership covers a long-term material services agreement, including the supply of spare parts to support the airline’s expanding fleet.
The airline, which currently has a fleet of over 430 planes, has an order book of almost 1,000 aircraft that are to be delivered over a decade. It plans to double its fleet by 2030.
India is CFM’s third-largest market, with five Indian carriers operating more than 400 LEAP-powered aircraft and have 2,000 engines on order. CFM is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. Last Nov, Safran had inaugurated an MRO in Hyderabad.
In a statement, IndiGo CEO-designate Willie Walsh said, CFM has been a partner since 2016, and supports IndiGo’s fleet of over 375 Airbus planes.
“With a strong installed base, manufacturing in Pune, a broad local supplier network, and advanced engineering in Bengaluru, we remain committed to supporting IndiGo’s growth and expanding our presence in India,” said GE Aerospace chairman & CEO H Lawrence Culp Jr.
“As one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, India is of strategic importance to Safran. Through our continued investments in the country, particularly in LEAP engine production and MRO capabilities, we are strengthening our long-term commitment to supporting IndiGo’s remarkable growth and to contributing to the development of Indian aerospace industry,” Safran CEO Olivier Andries said.
IndiGo has been a customer of CFM International for 10 years. In 2016, the airline operated a sub-fleet of Airbus A320 ceo family aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines and in 2019, the airline ordered LEAP-1A engines for their newest fleet of Airbus A320/321 neo family aircraft.
India is the third largest market for CFM International, with 5 Indian carriers operating more than 400 LEAP-powered aircraft and 2,000 engines on order.
