Source: AirbusAmerican Airlines and CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, announced that the airline’s future Airbus A321neo deliveries will continue to be powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. These engines will be installed on aircraft American ordered two years ago, and CFM will maintain its long-term support of the airline’s LEAP-1A fleet.
American currently flies 84 A321neo and 5 A321XLR aircraft, with an additional 120 A321neo and 35 A321XLR aircraft scheduled for delivery through 2032, all of which will use LEAP-1A engines. The airline also holds options for 116 more A320neo-family aircraft, which would also be equipped with the same engines.
CFM’s LEAP engines incorporate advanced technologies such as composite fan blades and ceramic matrix composites, delivering 15% better fuel efficiency and 15% lower carbon emissions compared with previous-generation CFM56 engines. The engines also benefit from advanced health-monitoring systems and an open MRO ecosystem to ensure high reliability and utilization.
In addition to its CFM-powered narrowbody fleet, American operates 20 Boeing 777 aircraft with GE90 engines and 70 Boeing 787 aircraft powered by GEnx engines, with 19 additional 787s on order.
Douglas Royce covers the aviation gas turbine and military markets at Forecast International, a market research firm that forecasts annual production across a wide range of aerospace and defense systems.
image sources
- American Airlines A321neo: Airbus
