Latin-American low-cost airline Viva Air has signed a deal with CFM International for LEAP-1A and CFM56-5B engines to power its new Airbus A320 aircraft fleet.

The $3.2bn order will see CFM deliver LEAP-1A engines for 35 A320neo aircraft and CFM56-5B engines for 15 A320ceo aircraft.

Viva Air CEO Félix Antelo said: “We are proud to announce this partnership with CFM International. LEAP-1A engines are the best option to power our 35 new A320neo aircraft; they will bring us important savings in fuel and maintenance that will benefit our operation and mainly our passengers due to an efficient operation and more affordable prices.”

“We believe the LEAP-1A engine is going to be an important element in Viva’s continued growth.”

The deal also includes an aftermarket support contract covering the LEAP-1A engines and a rate per flight hour (RPFH) agreement with CFM Services for Viva Air’s A320neo fleet maintenance.

Under the agreement, Viva Air’s 70 LEAP-1A engines will be maintained at a guaranteed dollar per engine flight hour basis for 12 years.

CFM parent company GE Aviation global sales and marketing vice-president and general manager Chaker Chahrour said: “It has been exciting to watch Viva Air grow over the last seven years and to be a part of this dynamic team.

“We appreciate the high level of confidence this agreement shows in CFM and we look forward to further strengthening this very special relationship in the years to come. We believe the LEAP-1A engine is going to be an important element in Viva’s continued growth.

“We also believe the engine will prove to be a very valuable asset in terms of the fuel efficiency and industry-leading daily utilisation it will bring to the new A320neo fleet.”

The airline has been taking deliveries of the A320ceo aircraft since last year. It will receive the first A320neo next year.