Akasa Air has ordered 300 CFM LEAP-1B engines to power the 150 newly purchased Boeing 737 MAX aircraft announced as being on order at Wings India 2024.
The new deal between CFM International and Akasa Air announced on January 26, 2024, also includes spare engines and a services contract.
Vinay Dube, founder and CEO of Akasa Air, said: “This significant, long-term agreement is testament to the confidence that CFM International has in Akasa Air. Continuing to partner with CFM as our engine maintenance provider not only reaffirms our focus on operational reliability but equally underscores Akasa Air’s relentless pursuit of world class safety.”
He added: “With CFM as our long-term engine maintenance provider, we remain confident in our path to becoming one of the top 30 leading airlines in the world by the turn of this decade.”
The order for 150 jets from Boeing includes both 737 MAX 10s and 737 MAX 8-200, with all deliveries expected to be completed before 2032.
The 737 MAX 8-200 is a high-density MAX 8 variant, with additional emergency exits, that can seat up to 200 passengers.
The Mumbai-based operator only launched operations in August 2022 and had previously ordered a total of 76 LEAP-1B- powered 737-8 aircraft, of which 22 are currently in service.
According to ch-aviation.com, Akasa Air currently has a total of 204 aircraft on order.
This new order should also grow CFM’s footprint in India, with more than 400 CFM-powered aircraft in service and 2,500 LEAP engines amongst the backlog.
“Our customers, including Akasa, are seeing 15 to 20 percent better fuel efficiency with their LEAP-powered fleets and it has the highest reliability and daily utilization rates in this thrust class,” Gaël Méheust, President & CEO of CFM International, said. “Today’s order will continue to bring these benefits to Akasa and support their continued growth, as well as play an important role in India’s economic development.”
