Snecma (Safran) wins exclusive CFM56-7B engine maintenance contract from SAS

Le Bourget, France, June 17, 2013 – Scandinavian Airlines (SAS Group) and Snecma (Safran) today signed an eight-year maintenance contract, covering all of the airline’s CFM56-7B engines. The contract can be extended on option to 14 years.

SAS will be covered by a dedicated customer service package, with services ranging from engine fleet management support to engine repairs through the global network of Snecma repair shops.

The decisive factors in SAS’s decision included Snecma’s long-standing expertise as an engine manufacturer, local presence and proven ability to ensure that engines operate as efficiently as possible. Snecma will also offer new services to SAS to ensure high dispatch reliability while reducing maintenance costs.

Gaël Meheust, Snecma Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, said “We are proud that the leading Scandinavian airline continues to place its trust in Snecma, through this latest agreement covering its entire CFM56-7B engine fleet. SAS and Snecma have established a long-standing relationship, now reaching back some 15 years, and this latest contract demonstrates the airline’s continued confidence in our services.”

Flemming J Jensen, SAS Executive Vice President & COO said: “Efficient maintenance of our fleet is very important to our business. Based on our previous MRO experience with Snecma over the last ten years, we chose Snecma because we know they are a reliable partner, capable of maintaining the highest operational standards, at the right price and with minimum engine downtime”.

SAS, the multinational carrier of Sweden, Norway and Denmark, operates scheduled flights to 136 destinations throughout Scandinavia, Europe, Asia, and the United States. The SAS fleet includes 92 CFM-powered aircraft, with 78 CFM56-7B-powered Boeing 737 Next Generation jets (737-600/-700/-800).