MAG ORDERS 60 CFM LEAP ENGINES FOR BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and CFM International (CFM) have announced an order for 60 CFM LEAP-1B engines, plus additional spares, to power MAG’s new fleet of 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Malaysia Airlines currently operates 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with CFM LEAP-1B engines, with another 14 aircraft on order, CFM said in a statement today. Overall, the airline currently operates 47 Next-Generation 737 aircraft with CFM56-7B engines. 

CFM said the agreement followed a signing ceremony earlier today between MAG, Boeing and CFM that was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today. 

The president and chief executive officer of CFM International Gaël Méheust said the agreement with MAG builds on a very strong three-decade relationship with a growing fleet of LEAP-powered aircraft when the airline began operating CFM56-3-powered Boeing 737 Classic aircraft back in the 1990s. 

MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said the CFM LEAP-1B engines bring high reliability, high efficiency and quiet operation for the passengers, ensuring they have the best possible experience flying with Malaysia Airlines. 

CFM LEAP engines have experienced the fastest ramp in commercial aviation history with more than 3,700 aircraft in over eight years.

It also has advanced technologies like composite fan blades and ceramic matrix composites delivering an engine that is 15 percent more fuel efficient, with 15 percent lower carbon emissions than prior-generation CFM56 engines.

Earlier today, the prime minister witnessed MAG's acquisition of 30 new aircraft directly from Boeing as part of its fleet modernisation strategy. 

The order includes 18 Boeing 737-8 and 12 Boeing 737-10 aircraft powered by the CFM LEAP-1B engines, with the option for 30 more 737 aircraft. 

-- BERNAMA