CFM International has won a $500m contract to maintain Alaska Airlines’ 128 CFM56-7B engines that power its Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft fleet.

The Rate Per Flight Hour (RPFH) maintenance agreement will be valid for nine years and covers spare engines.

As part of the contract, CFM will provide a complete engine maintenance and support, including supplying lease engines, transportation and material services to the Alaska Airlines fleet.

“We appreciate the high level of confidence this agreement shows in CFM and in our ability to continue to support their fleet over the long-term.”

CFM International president and CEO GaëlMéheust said: “We appreciate the high level of confidence this agreement shows in CFM and in our ability to continue to support their fleet over the long-term.”

“Alaska Airlines was the launch customer for the CFM56-7B engine for the Boeing Next-Generation 737-900 aircraft.”

The carrier currently operates a mix fleet of 220 Boeing 737 aircraft, powered by CFM engines, and Airbus A320 planes.

Last month, CFM International and Cathay Pacific Group finalised an order for advanced LEAP-1A engine that will power the group’s 32 new Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Delivery under the $1bn order is expected to begin by 2020.

Cathay Pacific has also entered a long-term RPFH maintenance agreement with CFM International.

A part of CFM’s flexible aftermarket support offering portfolio, the RPFH agreement guarantees maintenance costs on a dollar per engine flight hour basis to Cathay Pacific.