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Latin American airlines AviancaTaca has placed a firm order with CFM International for Leap-1A and CFM56-5B engines to power its 33 Airbus A320neo and 18 Airbus A320ceo aeroplanes respectively.

The value of the contract based on list prices is $2.7bn, and includes a comprehensive engine maintenance service package.

In addition, AviancaTaca also signed a 15-year rate per flight hour (RPFH) agreement to support the new CFM56 and Leap engine fleets, under it CFM will assure maintenance costs on a dollar per engine flight hour basis.

The airline is expected to take delivery of the A320neos in the 2014 to 2016 timeframe, while the A320neos are scheduled to be delivered between 2017 and 2019.

AviancaTaca originally placed the firm order for the airliners in June 2011 for the purpose of fleet renewal and growth.

AviancaTaca CEO Fabio Villegas Ramirez said the airline selected Leap-1A after a thorough technical evaluation and believes that it is the right engine for its A320neo fleet.

"The fuel efficiency it will bring coupled with the CFM standard for reliability and for maintenance cost, will make it a critical tool in implementing our long-term growth strategy," Ramirez said.

"The fuel efficiency it will bring coupled with the CFM standard for reliability and for maintenance cost, will make it a critical tool in implementing our long-term growth strategy."

Leap engines combine advanced aerodynamic design techniques, lighter, more durable materials, and superior environmental technologies.

They offer 15% improvements in engine fuel efficiency, double-digit improvements in CO2 emissions and noise levels, as well as low maintenance costs.

CFM56-5B is an update of the CFM56-5A series, and has a thrust range between 22,000lbf and 33,000lbf.

CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture of Snecma and GE Aircraft Engines, is a supplier of commercial aircraft engines, and has delivered around 25,000 engines to more than 500 operators worldwide.

AviancaTaca currently operates a combined fleet of more than 150 aircraft serving more than 100 destinations in Latin America, US, Canada, Caribbean region and Europe.

Image: AviancaTaca has opted CFM56-5B engine to power its 18 Airbus A320ceo jets. Photo: courtesy of Snecma.

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