A320NEO

Turkey’s budget carrier Pegasus Airlines has placed a firm order with CFM International for LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of 75 Airbus A320neo and A321neo airliners.

The carrier has also selected LEAP-1A engine for its 25 option A320neo/A321neo aircraft.

The carrier announced the aircraft order in December 2012 and is scheduled to receive the aircraft in 2016.

Pegasus Airlines has been a CFM customer since it began operations in 1990.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 43 CFM-powered Boeing 737 airliners on scheduled routes to 72 domestic and international destinations throughout Europe, Russia, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Pegasus Airlines CEO Sertac Haybat said that the carrier has selected the LEAP-1A engine following an extensive technical evaluation.

"We know from more than 20 years of experience the kind of world-class support CFM provides, but we have been extremely impressed with the level of technology they are bringing to this new engine," Haybat said.

"The fuel efficiency, environmental characteristics, and cost of ownership make it the right engine for our fleet."

CFM International sales vice-president Gael Meheust said: "Pegasus’s selection of the LEAP-1A engine after such an incredibly thorough technical evaluation reinforces the architecture and technology choices we have made."

"The fuel efficiency, environmental characteristics, and cost of ownership make it the right engine for our fleet."

According to CFM, the foundation of the LEAP engine is rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental, and materials technology development programmes.

The engine will provide a 15% improvement in fuel consumption and an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions compared with the existing CFM engines, as well as a 50% reduction in oxides of nitrogen emissions, and up to a 15 decibel reduction in noise.

CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE Aviation and is a leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines.

The company has delivered more than 25,000 engines to dates to more than 530 operators worldwide.

Image: Pegasus Airlines announced the firm order in December 2012 and is scheduled to receive the aircraft in 2016. Photo courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.

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