CFM International has won a $200m contract from Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) to provide LEAP-1A engines to power seven new Airbus A320neo aircraft.

The aircraft order was placed by RB in 2014 and deliveries are expected to begin later this year.

RB currently operates a fleet of ten aircraft, including four B787-8 Dreamliners together with six A320 aircraft.

“The LEAP-1A engine has some of the best fuel, noise, emission and operating efficiency in its class and will allow Royal Brunei Airlines to achieve significant cost savings.”

RB CEO Karam Chand said: “The LEAP-1A engine has some of the best fuel, noise, emission and operating efficiency in its class and will allow Royal Brunei Airlines to achieve significant cost savings.”

The airline also aims to support the global efforts to reduce carbon footprint by employing the LEAP-1A engine.

CFM’s LEAP engine entered commercial service in August 2016 and has since been providing more than 30 of its operators with a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency, with an equivalent reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The engine is also designed to reduce noise and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions.

Last month, CFM finalised a set of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU) with three Chinese airlines regarding new orders and long-term support agreements covering approximately 500 CFM engines.

The deals total $9.1bn and were signed with Spring Airline, Hainan Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.

The LEAP engine is a product of CFM International, which is equally owned by GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.

RB serves various regional and international destinations in Australia, South East Asia, China, Middle East and the UK from its hub at Brunei International Airport.