Ace investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air on Wednesday announced signing an agreement to purchase CFM LEAP-1B engines to power its Boeing 737 MAX airplanes and the overall deal is estimated to be worth USD 4.5 billion. The announcement comes a day after the upcoming ultra-low cost carrier said it would buy 72 Boeing 737 MAX planes from Boeing Co.
With this purchase and services agreement, Akasa Air will have from day one of its operations an innovative and comprehensive maintenance programme delivered by CFM, the airline said in a statement. The pact was signed with CFM at the ongoing Dubai Airshow. The deal, which includes spare engines and a long-term service agreement, is estimated to be worth USD 4.5 billion at list price.
At the current exchange rate, the amount translates to more than Rs 33,000 crore "We are pleased to partner with CFM International as we embark on an exciting journey to launch the greenest, most affordable and most dependable airline in India. Our partnership with CFM will ensure that we adhere to the world's highest standards of maintenance and deliver the industry's best technical dispatch reliability," Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube said.
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According to him, the high-performance LEAP-1B engine will support Akasa's tech-driven culture by enabling real-time engine monitoring and predictive maintenance planning. "With this agreement, we now have the foundation to ensure the most competitive and reliable operations in our fast-growing market," Dube added.
Akasa Air, owned by SNV Aviation, is expecting to start flying next year. It has already received a no-objection certificate from the civil aviation ministry. "We are proud to develop a strong relationship with Akasa and play a key role in the launch of their operations, by providing them with the industry-leading asset utilisation, fuel efficiency, and overall cost of ownership," Philippe Couteaux, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CFM International, said.
CFM delivered the first CFM56 engines in the early 90s. Since then, the company has been developing a trustful relationship with major Indian airlines and playing a key role in the Indian domestic market continuous growth, according to the release. To date, nearly 600 engines are operated by airlines from the Indian subcontinent and more than 1,700 LEAP engines are on order.
First Published: Nov 17, 2021 6:11 PM IST
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