Vietjet places $3 billion CFM LEAP-1B engine order

May 24, 2016 | 19:00

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Vietnam's VietJet Air announced its order for CFM International’s LEAP-1B engine to power 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft signed on May 23.

The agreement is valued at $3 billion at list price, including spare engines.

Based in Ho Chi Minh City, VietJet Air has been a CFM customer since it commenced operations in late 2011 with CFM56-powered aircraft and currently operates a fleet of 35 airplanes.

“It has been a real privilege to work with VietJet Air with the CFM56 fleet and we are excited to bring the value of the LEAP engine to their operations,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. “In a very short time, the team has established it as the fastest-growing airline in the region, and we believe they are just getting started. We are honored to be part of this dynamic team and look forward to a very long relationship together.”

“We are thrilled to take our relationship with VietJet Air to the next level,” said Gaël Meheust, vice president of sales for CFM International. “We are really looking forward to partnering with them as they introduce the advanced LEAP engine into their fleet and continue to build their brand in the region.”

LEAP-1B engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. CFM, the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines, has delivered nearly 30,000 engines to date. The LEAP engine family is the fastest-selling in aviation history with more than 10,500 orders place through April 2016.

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