CFM International has secured a contract from Qatar Airways to power its fleet of 50 Airbus A321neo aircraft with LEAP-1A engines.

The deal is valued at $4bn at list price and the largest order made on A321neo in the Middle East.

The two companies have also signed Rate-Per-Flight-Hour (RPFH) support agreement including spares for the maintenance of Qatar’s fleet of LEAP-1A engines.

CFM International president and CEO Gaël Méheust said: “We are excited to take another step forward in our partnership with Qatar Airways.

“This agreement shows the continued confidence this airline has in our products and we look forward to working closely with them to introduce the fuel-efficient LEAP engine into their fleet. We also look forward to supporting Qatar Airways’ continued growth and maintaining lower operating costs.”

CFM International’s fuel-efficient LEAP engine fleet has recorded more than five million engine flight hours after entering commercial service three years ago.

In June, India’s low-cost carrier IndiGo ordered LEAP-1A engines from CFM International.

The deal valued more than $20bn includes spare engines and an overhaul support agreement and is reportedly the largest ever single-engine order in history.

Qatar Airways and CFM have started associating since 2015. The carrier runs a fleet of eight CFM56-5B-powered A320ceo family aircraft.

The airline is expected to take delivery of the first LEAP-1A-powered A321neo next year.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “This engine addresses our strategy to operate a state-of-the-art fleet with the most advanced technologies in the industry while expanding our network and maintaining the best flexibility for our customers.”