VietJet Air

Vietnam-based low-cost airline VietJet Air has awarded $300m engine maintenance contract to CFM International for its fleet of 21 Airbus A320ceo aircraft.

The scope of the 12-year contract includes maintenance of 45 CFM56-5B engines on a dollar per engine flight hour basis.

VietJetAir board of directors member Chu Viet Cuong said: "With this agreement, we are looking to CFM to help us keep our maintenance costs in check.

"They have proven themselves to be a real partner in our operations and will continue to be an asset to support our continued growth."

VietJet Air’s CFM56-5B engines will be configured under the performance improvement package (PIP), which is said to offer 0.5% improvement in fuel efficiency.

"With this agreement, we are looking to CFM to help us keep our maintenance costs in check."

The improvements include hardware changes to the core, including new high-pressure turbine blades, and manufacturing changes to the fan and compressor blades and vanes.

The CFM56-5B engines are said to comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Committee of Aviation Environmental Protection standards.

VietJetAir began operations in 2011 with 18 leased CFM56-5B-powered A320 aircraft.

Last year, the carrier has placed an $800m order for CFM56-5B engines, to power 14 Airbus A320ceo and seven A321ceo airliners.

In February this year, the carrier placed an order for 42 A320neo, 14 A320ceo and 07 A321ceo with an option for 30 airliners.


Image: VietJet Air and CFM International officials at the signing ceremony of the contract. Photo: courtesy of VietJet Air.

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