flydubai signs agreement with CFM for up to 222 engines

DUBAI, U.A.E — 18 November 2013 — flydubai today announced that it has signed an agreement with CFM International to purchase up to 200 LEAP-1B engines to power Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline has also ordered 22 CFM56-7BE engines to power up to an additional 11 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft.

This total includes a 10-year Rate per Flight Hour (RPFH) agreement for the LEAP-1B engine, under the terms of which CFM will guarantee maintenance costs on a dollar per engine flight hour basis.

flydubai has been a CFM customer since it launched operations in mid-2009 and currently operates a fleet of 33 CFM56-7B-powered Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. The airline has outstanding deliveries for CFM56-7B-powered aircraft from its 2008 order; these airplanes will be delivered by 2015.

“We have had great experience with the CFM56 engines currently in our fleet, providing the reliability and efficiency that contributes to the success of our business model,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer of flydubai. "The data we have seen on the LEAP-1B engines gives us every confidence that will allow its successful implementation into our expanding fleet.”

“We are delighted to provide the LEAP-1B engine to flydubai as we launch the next chapter in our very successful relationship,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International.

“The high reliability and low operating costs the LEAP-1B engine offers will play an important role in maintaining the great success flydubai has achieved in the first few years of operation,” said Gaël Meheust vice president of sales for CFM. “We look forward to working with them as they continue to grow in the coming years,”

CFM recently completed ground testing of the first LEAP engine, accumulation 310 hours and more than 400 cycles with exceptional results. The first full LEAP-1B engine is currently being built in preparation for the launch of ground testing in mid-2014. The engine is scheduled for certification in 2016 and entry into service on the 737 MAX aircraft in 2017.

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.

All of flydubai’s new CFM56-7B engines are the “E” variant, introduced in 2011. The CFM56-7BE-powered Next-Generation 737 enhanced airplane/engine combination is providing a 2 percent improvement in fuel consumption, which, in turn, equates to a 2 percent reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, the enhanced -7B will provide up to 4 percent lower maintenance costs, depending on the thrust rating.

CFM is used advanced computer codes and three-dimensional design techniques to improve airfoils in the high- and low-pressure turbines for better engine performance. In addition, the company improved engine durability and reduced parts count to achieve lower maintenance costs.